Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
169. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the status of the new pharmacy contract and new community pharmacy services; when contract negotiations will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33608/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI value the important role community pharmacists play in our Irish Health Service in the delivery of holistic patient care. I fully acknowledge that community pharmacists have played a pivotal role in responding to the health needs of the public during the COVID-19 crisis.
Community pharmacists have ensured the continued availability of a professional, accessible service for the public and have successfully managed to alleviate the worries and concerns of the population around continuity of medicine supply.
There has been regular engagement with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) throughout the past number of months and a significant number of contingency measures have been put in place under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Amendment Regulations, 2020, intended to relieve the pressures on community pharmacies.
Officials in my Department and the HSE initiated work early in 2020 to prepare for contractual engagement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union. However, the disruption and reprioritisation arising from the Covid-19 pandemic has meant that this work has not progressed.
However, the HSE has established a contingency planning working group with the IPU and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland to support the implementation of all COVID-19 support measures. The Group’s primary role is to examine the operational and clinical challenges confronting community pharmacists during the COVID-19 emergency.
This working group also presents an opportunity to discuss the strategic direction of the profession which will be valuable in the context of any future contractual reform.
