Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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198. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a proposal from the Irish Pharmacy Union (details supplied); his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15653/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health recognises the key role of Pharmacy in the Community, and the potential role that pharmacy may play in the development and implementation of future healthcare reform, especially in regard to the aims and vision of Sláintecare.

The Department has recognised and appreciated the ongoing significant contribution made by this sector to patients and the public, particularly during the pandemic and would wish to explore and realise any and all opportunities to build on this.

I note the submission provided and appreciate that officials within my Department are considering the issues raised. I last met with representatives of the Irish Pharmacy Union on the 24 November 2022 where they outlined their considerations around the potential scope of the pharmacy sector to enhance healthcare service delivery. My officials are continuing to engage directly with the IPU in relation to matters raised. The Department is open to exploring any evidence based appropriately governed services, delivered by appropriately trained professionals which will support the delivery of the right care, in the right place at the right time.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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199. To ask the Minister for Health the reason pharmacies are struggling to issue prescriptions for essential drugs for patients on long-term essential medication, namely, valsartan and Krka; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15660/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health has been advised by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) of one current shortage of a valsartan-containing medicine (Valsartan 160mg Film-Coated Tablets) from Accord, the company responsible for supplying the product in Ireland. The company has stated that the shortage is due to a manufacturing issue and is expected to return in September 2023. Alternative strengths, presentations, and generic medicines are available to ensure continuity of care. A pharmacist can generically interchange most brands of valsartan-containing products without needing additional prescriber involvement.

For clarity, KRKA is a pharmaceutical company. The only current shortage from the company KRKA is for Ezetimibe Krka 10 mg tablets, a medicine used to treat high cholesterol. There are alternative products available to ensure continuity of care.

Unfortunately, medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide which have been exacerbated by recent worldwide events. There are a multitude of reasons why a medicine may not be available including: shortages of raw materials; manufacturing difficulties; sudden unexpected increase in demand; or product recalls due to potential quality issues. Ireland has a multi-stakeholder medicine shortage framework in place, coordinated by the HPRA, to prevent, wherever possible, and to manage medicine shortages when they occur. The HPRA maintains regular contact with the Department of Health regarding medicines shortages.

The HPRA publishes a list of medicines currently in short supply on its website (Medicines Shortages (hpra.ie) with the reason for the shortage and expected dates for the return of supply. The information is available to assist healthcare professionals in managing medicine shortages when they arise and reduce their impact on patients. The information relating to shortages on the HPRA website is dynamic and changes depending on the current information the HPRA has to hand.