Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I recognise the significant role community pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care and acknowledge the potential for this role to be developed further in the context of healthcare service reform.

In that regard, various approaches to extending the scope of practice of community pharmacists are being progressed by my Department. The implementation of these necessitates engagement with a range of stakeholders and full consideration of all the relevant legislative and operational issues involved.

The establishment in July 2023 of the Expert Taskforce to support the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland is evidence of my commitment to that aim. I have accepted the first recommendation of the Taskforce and work to implement that recommendation has commenced with the relevant stakeholders. The Taskforce has now moved on to the second phase of its work.

There has been constructive engagement between Department officials and the Irish Pharmacy Union especially in recent months to advance consideration of the range of initiatives to support an enhanced role of pharmacy.

As the Taskforce progresses its work this close engagement needs to continue with my Department and the HSE, with a view to identifying the key enablers to support realisation of the objectives of an expanded scope of pharmacy practice.