Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 June 2023
144. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he and his Department will engage with the community pharmacy sector to discuss a new contract and enhance its role in the delivery of healthcare in the community, as per the commitment in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28623/23]
View answerI 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. Their participation in the national Covid-19 vaccination programme and in the free contraception scheme, launched in September 2022, are examples of the importance of their role in the functioning of our healthcare service.
Medicines are the most common healthcare intervention within the health system and the use and complexity of medicines are increasing. Pharmacists are the healthcare professionals optimally placed by virtue of their training to deliver on the critical role within the health system to ensure the safe and rational use of medicines by patients.
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 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.
I believe that there is a real opportunity to work collaboratively, and with other healthcare providers, to make a significant difference to patient outcomes. I acknowledge that collaboration has proven effective in the recent past and I am confident it can continue to do so in the future.
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.
