Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

320. To ask the Minister for Health if she will ensure the fees paid to pharmacists are increased (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16460/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

There has been ongoing engagement between Department officials and the Irish Pharmacy Union in regard to the potential to extend the scope of practice of community pharmacists and the contract enablers needed to implement that.

My Department has been carrying out a comprehensive review of the pharmacy fee structure in the context of its engagement with the IPU and the intended expansion of the scope of pharmacy practice.

I believe that there is a real opportunity to work collaboratively with community pharmacists to make a significant difference to patient outcomes. 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.