John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to help community pharmacists expand their services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50802/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Partnership Government is committed to expanding the role of community pharmacy, where this can provide better outcomes for public patients. However, any expansion of services should address unmet public health needs, improve access to existing public health services delivered elsewhere or provide better value for money or patient outcomes if delivered through pharmacy.

Work has been done in recent years on wider healthcare roles for pharmacies, including the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland’s Future Pharmacy report, concerning expansion of professional pharmacy practice. It is clear from this and other work that there is also potential to increase the range of publicly funded health services delivered through community pharmacy.

Influenza vaccination and emergency contraception services have already been introduced. Other services, including in the areas of medicines management and treatment of minor ailments, will be considered in the context of available resources, the potential for health gain and Government priorities for the health service.

New public services in community pharmacy, if introduced, should improve health outcomes and provide value for money and benefits for patients. Any new or transferred services should be based on sound evidence with matching improvements in governance and administration.