Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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385. To ask the Minister for Health the discussions that have taken place between him and an organisation (details supplied) on a topic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7872/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I recognise the significant role that community pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care. I also acknowledge the vital role that community pharmacy will play in the development and implementation of future healthcare reform, especially in regard to the aims and vision of Sláintecare.

During the COVID-19 pandemic the Health Service Executive (HSE) established a Community Pharmacy Contingency Planning working group with relevant stakeholders, including the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), to support the implementation of all COVID-19 support measures in the context of pharmacy services and the contribution this sector could make.

This group – now called the Community Pharmacy Planning Forum – had examined the operational and clinical challenges confronting community pharmacists during the COVID-19 emergency and played a key role in resolving them to the benefit of the people of Ireland. The impact of its work can be seen in the important role that community pharmacists played in the national COVID-19 vaccination programme – the largest vaccination programme ever undertaken by the state.

The Forum has now transitioned to discussing the strategic direction of the community pharmacy profession. The Forum provides an opportunity for all stakeholders, including the IPU and the PSI, to provide insights on how community pharmacy can be expanded in the context of healthcare reform.

While the Forum is chaired by the HSE, my Department is taking an active role in the work currently being undertaken. This will prove invaluable in the context of future contractual reform.

On the 24th of November 2022, I, and Departmental officials, met with the IPU. At that meeting, various proposals regarding extending the scope of practice offered by community pharmacists were discussed. Since then, an internal Department group has convened to consider these proposals and to progress ways in which to extend the scope of practice of community pharmacists in the short, medium and longer term. This work is ongoing and is progressing at a fast pace.

Of course, any publicly funded pharmacy service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs, improve access to existing public health services, and provide better value for money.