Minister for Health seeks ‘clear visibility’ for patients on dispensing services
Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, recently announced the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) – the pharmacy regulator – will develop new guidelines on the transparency of pricing in respect of services provided by pharmacies.
Minister Carroll MacNeill commented: “I believe patients don’t have clear visibility of the fees they are paying for services such as dispensing services when getting their prescription medicines dispensed. Since becoming Minister for Health, I have engaged with pharmacy stakeholders, pharmacists, and patients on a wide range of issues concerning community pharmacies. Through these engagements, I recognise that the fees patients pay for medicines and associated services is not well understood and not as clear as we should expect in 2025.”
She continued: “Pharmacists are highly trained, highly competent and trusted professionals who offer expert advice on illness, ensure the safe supply of medicines, and deliver vaccines to the public. They absolutely should charge a service fee for their expertise and for these professional services.”
Diagnosing and prescribing
“I want to see pharmacists working at the very top of their expertise, providing the best of professional services to their community, who place great trust in them. I also want to see pharmacists providing more professional healthcare services to their community, such as diagnosing and prescribing for common conditions such as eye infections, urinary tract infections, and others. I look forward to advancing this with pharmacies as the year progresses.
“This will make it easier for patients to be diagnosed more quickly, more conveniently, and to recover more quickly as we continue to expand GP services for a growing population.”
However, all charges by pharmacies must be more transparent and readily understood by patients, she said. The Minister stated that to her, that means dispensing fees for pharmacists’ expert handling and preparation of medicine and advice to a patient.
The Minister continued: “I recently met with the PSI to progress this issue and I am delighted to announce that the PSI has agreed to progress a programme of work to develop statutory guidelines aimed at improving patient access to information in respect of services provided by community pharmacies. This is something that has been recommended by the PSI and I am keen to work with them to enable it.
“I have huge ambition for the future of pharmacies, and I am committed to supporting the ongoing reform and expansion of pharmacy services.”
Transparency
The PSI responded positively to the announcement, stating: “While the pricing of medicines and the fees set by pharmacies is outside of our remit, the PSI considers that transparency in pricing for patients and members of the public is desirable as an aid to empowering them to make informed decisions about their care. We have previously set out our position on this matter on our website.
“We have been requested by the Minister for Health to consider the development of appropriate guidelines so that patients have an improved understanding of the fees that they pay in respect of the products that are dispensed and the services they use in pharmacies.
“We will now commence the process of developing guidelines for pharmacists and pharmacies on price transparency that will support patient empowerment, while ensuring that any information on pricing is factual, encourages the safe and rational use of medicines, and in line with relevant legislation. The guidelines will undergo public consultation and will be subject to approval by the Council of the PSI.”
‘Proportionate’
Welcoming the PSI’s support for on this important matter, the Minister stated: “I believe this is a proportionate response to the transparency issue. I hope pharmacies will support their patients, proactively, with clear information on the nature and quantum of charges levied. I will keep an open mind on this matter, and I will subsequently consider other opportunities including legislative intervention, if they are needed, to achieve this important public policy goal.”
