I thank all the Deputies for their contributions today, particularly Deputy Toole for her knowledge. What she spoke of was very informative for me. I know some pharmacists in my own area of Carlow and I can only say their work and commitment to the people in the area is brilliant. First, I thank Deputies again. I know that the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has outlined that the proposed changes to phased dispensing have been paused until the end of quarter 1 of 2026. This pause was agreed to allow the IPU and its members to have more time to engage with patients in a structured way over the next three months. Charges for blister packing are currently a matter for individual pharmacies providing that service as a private business. It has always been a private service and we have heard the range of prices, if any, that pharmacists charge their patients. The State has never agreed to fund this monitored dosage system or blister packing. The HSE has consistently taken steps to inform the community pharmacists of this important distinction. The IPU is also aware of this issue and in March 2025, it published an article making it clear to its members that blister packing is not the same as phased dispensing and is not reimbursed by the State. While monitored dosage systems may have a role for some patients, there is significant uncertainty around the robustness of the evidence supporting this. It was for this reason that, during the negotiations for the 2025 community pharmacy agreement, when monitored dosage systems were discussed it was agreed not to change their status. Inappropriate claims for monitored dosage systems as phased dispensing represents a significant opportunity cost for other patient safety and clinical services. Under the landmark community pharmacy agreement, a new strategic collaboration group will be established in early 2026. This will provide a structured forum for joint consideration of a strategic issue shaping the future of community pharmacy in Ireland. That is what Deputy Toole spoke about. This will be really important. A new strategic collaboration group will be established in early 2026 to provide a structured forum and I think that is the way forward. A key pillar of this is that a dedicated fund has been allocated to progress opportunities to improve or expand community pharmacy services in relation to medicines. The aim is to examine and test new value-added services in the community pharmacies to support patients with management and safe use of their medicines. This new, structured, collaborative process will help to design and deliver evidence-informed, high-impact medicines optimisation services to patients and support future opportunities for services investment. The strategic collaboration group will be tasked with exploring the best way to utilise this fund. The Government is keen that the public is not misled in regard to the way that changes are going to happen. Deputies have spoken about phased dispensing and how it is reported. The one thing we have learned from today is that we need to make sure that the proper information is out there and that we deliver it. We do not want to frighten people either. We are all very mindful of people who are very vulnerable and that will definitely be considered. I have no doubt about that. Concerned members of the public and their families and carers should realise that their local community pharmacist is the expert in their medication. They have the expertise and they are so approachable when someone wants information or advice. In line with the pharmacy contract, the regulatory framework and the service provided by pharmacists and pharmacies can assist patients through counselling, reminder charts, the Know Check Ask system with the HSE and tools like pictures or large-print labels and alarms so there are ways to help. All of these are aimed at improving understanding of the medication. There are lots of ways that pharmacists can help patients. It does not always come down to the blister packs. International evidence will show that blister packaging to maintain compliance is always supported so we need to look at the evidence as well. That is something we will be addressing, along with how we all work together. All of us here want to help the most vulnerable in our community - the people who need these supports - and that is what we are here to do. There is very good evidence relating to true community pharmacy intervention, including patient counselling when a new medicine is prescribed or for high-risk medicines or when prescriptions are changed or just discharged from hospital medicines, so that the pharmacist can really support people to understand and use their medicines appropriately. We understand the role of the pharmacist and the pharmacies and the work they do. It is important to highlight that tonight. Phased dispensing is not being withdrawn by the community pharmacy agreement but there will be improvement controls around phased dispensing in order to put patient safety first and to allow the State to look at the funding to be used to implement new patient-centric services. Phased dispensing and the supply of medicines in monitored dosage systems are separate and distinct with one being State supported and the latter being a private service. In her statement on 12 December, the Minister noted that community pharmacies are under pressure at the moment with an earlier than expected start of the flu season. At the moment, we see all these incidences of flu. They are also delivering vaccinations and preparing to establish the new common conditions service. I know the Minister has been working extremely hard on this. The Minister agrees that the IPU needed to engage further with its membership to clarify what the community pharmacists had to do on further work with their patients, especially the most vulnerable, to clarify these supports. It is all about getting information out there. It is important that when a pharmacy charges a fee for any professional service, it provides updated information to patients in line with the new pricing transparency guideline, which came into effect on 1 December. I want to reassure the House that the Department, the HSE and the IPU will continue to engage, including on two new collaborative structures to support any clarifications required, and, importantly, to ensure the success of the new pharmacy agreement. Older persons counselling, Age Friendly Ireland and carers were mentioned. It is important that everybody works together and no misinformation is given. I thank the Deputies. It is a really important issue and it is important that we have these few months and that the proper information is given.

Sentiment score: 0.26