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Community Pharmacy Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2019

Tuesday, 22 October 2019

Questions (430, 431)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

430. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the timeline in which he will commence discussions with an organisation (details supplied) regarding a new contract to replace the previous community pharmacy contractor's agreement which dates back to 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43591/19]

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Anne Rabbitte

Question:

431. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health his plans to deliver on recommendations contained in the 2008 Dorgan report which recommends tiered fees index-linked to the present day and into the future be paid to community pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43592/19]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 431 together.

I value the role pharmacists play in the Irish health service. As you are aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government and the Sláintecare implementation strategy contain commitments to expanding the role of community pharmacy in managing patient health in the community.

Work has been done in recent years on wider healthcare roles for pharmacies, including the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland’s Future Pharmacy report, on the expansion of professional pharmacy practice. It is clear from this and other work that there is potential to increase the range of both private and publicly funded health services delivered through community pharmacy. Important new services, such as influenza vaccination and emergency contraception, have already been introduced.

To be funded by the taxpayer, new public health services in community pharmacy, as elsewhere, 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.

I recently met with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) when these and other issues were discussed. My officials will be engaging with the IPU on new fee regulations before the end of the year and the intention is to broaden the discussions to contractual and service arrangements during 2020.

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