Weekly pharmacy dispensing
Deputy Munster asked whether a HSE change requiring weekly dispensing of prescriptions would create extra fees, bureaucracy and hardship for patients with mobility problems and older patients. The Minister said he did not have the details and would obtain them.
I refer to the programme for Government and a change of policy in the HSE. It has instructed pharmacies to dispense prescriptions only on a weekly basis, despite the fact that patients have monthly prescriptions. Can the Minister confirm whether pharmacies will issue four separate dispensing fees instead of a monthly fee? Will that involve an extra financial cost?
Does the Minister accept that the change will create multiple layers of bureaucracy and affect patients with mobility issues, such as MS, and elderly patients? Patients will now be forced to collect prescriptions on a weekly, as opposed to a monthly, basis. What is the rationale for the decision? Will the Minister give a commitment to review this matter?
Comment on this
I regret I do not have the details the Deputy is seeking. I will endeavour to get it to her. No doubt it will be the subject of a parliamentary question to the Minister in due course.