Pringle calls on Government to fast-track talks on pharmacy services and fees
- Updated: 28th June 2023
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has called on Government to fast-track discussions around pharmacy services and fees.
Addressing the Dáil today, Deputy Pringle said: “I welcome the recent moves by the Government to begin discussions around pharmacy services and fees. But the fact remains that core dispensing fees have been frozen for the last 15 years and average dispensing fee across all state schemes has decreased by a significant amount in real terms. This is coupled with a large increase in the amount of dispensing happening in pharmacies across the State as a whole.
“In Donegal we have 62 pharmacies across the county, and they are part of the fabric of our rural communities. They provide far more than just their dispensing function and for many, many people they have an important social function, too.
“My question is, Taoiseach: Will you give a commitment that these discussions will be fast-tracked to a conclusion so that measures to address the IPU’s valid concerns can be included in the forthcoming budget?”
Deputy Pringle raised the issue during questions on policy or legislation.
In his response, the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said he knows the Minister for Health is keen to engage with community pharmacists about fees and about what additional services they might be willing to provide for improved fees.
