Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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448. To ask the Minister for Health why chemists are no longer providing blister packs, as they did previously (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19118/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In general, monthly prescriptions are dispensed by pharmacies on a monthly or 28-day basis depending on the type of medicine and the form in which it is packaged by the manufacturer. A prescriber may, on occasion, request that patients are only supplied with one week's supply of medicine at a time, due to the nature of the medicines involved and/or any ongoing safety concerns for the patient. In such circumstances, the prescription would be required to be dispensed by the pharmacy on a weekly basis, and this would be governed by the particular patient's care needs. This is known as phased dispensing. The rules in relation to dispensing have not changed.

I have been informed by the HSE that its Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) issued a letter to all pharmacies on the 5th of May to reconfirm the rules applying to phased dispensing.

Claims by pharmacists for phased dispensing fees are only valid in certain narrow circumstances, where the dispensing on multiple supply occasions is:

- at the request of a patient's physician;

- due to the inherent nature of the medicine in terms of product stability and shelf life;

- where a patient is commencing new drug therapy with a view to establishing patient tolerance and acceptability before continuing on a full treatment regimen;

- in exceptional circumstances where the patient is incapable of safely and effectively managing the medication regimen.

The HSE/PCRS recently noted a significant increase in the number of pharmacy claims requesting phased dispensing fees, and is currently carrying out an audit of all claims submitted for such fees. The HSE has already written to a number of pharmacies in relation to phased dispensing claims, and will engage further with these pharmacies to address any outstanding issues.

The HSE has recently increased its capacity to undertake an enhanced level of inspections in pharmacies to give assurance to the system regarding probity issues.