Doctor and pharmacist unions react to Programme for Government
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has emphasised the need for urgent action on the issue of the planned provision of free HRT treatments to bring about meaningful improvements for both pharmacists and patients.
The Programme for Government (PfG) promises to streamline community pharmacy HSE reimbursement procedures, while expanding pharmacist services through the planned introduction of a Common Conditions service. A Chief Pharmacist will also be appointed within the Department of Health.
However, the PfG does not address recent concerns about the dispensing fees associated with the planned provision of free HRT treatment. The document states a commitment to ‘Ensure that the planned rollout of free HRT medicines is available at no cost for the drug/product’, but doesn’t refer to the costs of dispensing such medicines, which pharmacists have warned will be passed on to patients, if not addressed by Government.
In response to a query on this issue by IMT, an IPU spokesperson said: “We remain available to engage with Government on their plans, and in particular our proposals to combine the new HRT scheme with the existing free contraception scheme to create a comprehensive Women’s Health Plan.
“This unified approach aims to provide holistic, accessible, and cost-free reproductive healthcare services. By including HRT within this plan, women could access a broad range of hormonal care services free of charge at their local pharmacies – mirroring the structure of the contraception scheme.”
IPU president Tom Murray
In a statement welcoming the PfG, IPU president Tom Murray said: “Community pharmacies are the cornerstone of Ireland’s healthcare system, providing trusted, accessible care to millions annually. However, financial instability, excessive administrative burdens, and the lack of increased services threaten their sustainability. The Programme for Government acknowledges these issues, but we urge immediate action to secure the future of pharmacies and improve patient care.”
Meanwhile, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) said that the healthcare measures announced in the PfG lack any detail on resources or implementation dates and are, in many cases, a repeat of previous commitments that have not been met.
It said the HSE Service Plan for 2025, published just a day before the PfG, clearly demonstrates that we will see no significant increase in capacity with just 300 beds planned for the coming year and no plan to address the chronic medical workforce shortages throughout the system.
The IMO warned that 2025 will see an effective recruitment freeze, unsafe and dangerous pressures within our Emergency Departments, patients waiting too long for care in our acute and community services and General Practice facing increased and unsustainable demands.
IMO president Dr Denis McCauley said: “Our health services need to be a priority for the incoming Government and if this Programme for Government is to mean anything we must very quickly see a detailed implementation plan with a corresponding commitment to funding.
“Doctors and other healthcare professionals are struggling to deliver care in environments that are under-resourced, under-staffed and under pressure. Patients all around the country are facing problems accessing care whether that be in General Practice, mental health services, acute hospital services or community services.
He added: “The IMO has long campaigned for adequate capacity, a funded medical workforce plan and investment in General Practice – we will be seeking to urgently engage with the incoming Minister for Health in terms of implementation and a realistic multi-annual funding programme for our health services that meets the needs of the population and allows doctors to deliver timely care.”
