186. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the issue with dispensing fees for community pharmacists and ensure the sustainability of these essential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39533/24]

188. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the review of pharmacy dispensing fees; if he is engaging with a union (details supplied) on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39542/24]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 188 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.

There has been ongoing engagement between Department officials and the Irish Pharmacy Union in regard to the potential to extend the scope of practice of community pharmacists and the contract enablers needed to implement that.

My Department has been carrying out a comprehensive review of the pharmacy fee structure in the context of its engagement with the IPU and the intended expansion of the scope of pharmacy practice.

I believe that there is a real opportunity to work collaboratively with community pharmacists 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.