Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
1117. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when the proposed national scheme for safe disposal of unused medicines will be introduced; what funding has been allocated; whether it will involve community pharmacies; and whether it will operate nationally. [38769/26]
View answer1120. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether his Department has assessed potential savings from reducing medicines waste by 10%, 20% or 30%; and whether such savings have been modelled for reinvestment in frontline pharmacy or prescribing services. [38772/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1117 and 1120 together.
As per the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 (CPA25), a yearly allocation of €4,500,000 is being made available to provide for a HSE-tendered medicine disposal service from community pharmacies nationwide. My department officials, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Irish Pharmacy Union are finalising preparations for this service, and a nationwide rollout will commence in the coming months.
For the first time, the national medicines disposal service under the 2025 Community Pharmacy Agreement will provide a structured, nationwide basis to track activity, volumes of medicines returned and the related costs over time.
This will be a tangible way to build a clear evidence base on the scale of unused and expired medicines and on the financial implications for the health service. Over time, the disposal service will provide evidence on the types and volumes of medicines being returned, which will inform better prescribing practice, dispensing practice and public awareness measures. It will also support a more targeted approach to reducing waste, while also improving value for money, patient safety and environmental protection.
