Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2023
202. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will restore the dispensing fee for pharmacists from 2009 levels of €5.00 for the first 1,667 items up to €6.50, in line with the FEMPI pay restoration increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33025/23]
View answer215. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he has or will conduct a review of pharmacy dispensing fees and the extent of service provision by community pharmacists; if he has or will engage with an organisation (details supplied) on the matter; the dates on which he has or will engage; if he will establish a review which encompasses the scope of services provided or which could be provided by community pharmacy; and if he will include scoping of a minor ailments or minor illness scheme in community pharmacy in the terms of reference of the aforementioned review. [33097/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 215 together.
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 regulations governing the pharmacy fee structure are set out in the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 (No. 34 of 2017) and in S.I. No. 639 of 2019, the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 (Payments to Community Pharmacy Contractors) Regulations 2019, which put the current fee structure in place, with effect from 1 January 2020.
Under Section 42(14) of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 the pharmacy fee structure must be reviewed every third year after 2020. My Department is currently carrying out a review and Department officials have held a productive meeting with the Irish Pharmacy Union in that regard. Another meeting is scheduled to take place in July.
I believe that there is a real opportunity to work collaboratively with community pharmacists, and with other healthcare providers, 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.
