Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
517. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to the HSE's confirmation that no national dataset on returned medicines currently exists, whether the national medicines disposal service under CPA25 will record returned medicines as a defined, structured national dataset; to specify the data fields that dataset will capture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50611/26]
View answer518. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether data on the volume, type and cost of medicines returned under the CPA25 disposal service will be published; the frequency of such publication; the date on which the first such report will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50612/26]
View answer519. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the confirmed commencement date of the national medicines disposal service under CPA25, given the HSE's statement that the service is due to commence "over the summer" in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50613/26]
View answer520. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a baseline estimate of the annual cost of unused, expired or otherwise wasted medicines will be established at the commencement of the CPA25 disposal service; the methodology to be applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50614/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 517, 518, 519 and 520 together.
Enabling patients to return their unused medicines to their local community pharmacy restricts access to unused medicines, thereby reducing the risk of suicide, self-harm and accidental poisoning in children. Improperly disposing of medicines impacts on crops, biodiversity and contaminates our water system. Antimicrobial resistance is a significant health challenge and incorrect disposal of antibiotics adds to this problem.
Traditionally community pharmacists have facilitated patients in returning unused medication to their pharmacy either on a good will basis, or in some cases on a paid for service basis. Additionally, there have been certain local or regional initiatives which aim to raise awareness among members of the public regarding appropriate ways to dispose of unused medicines and to encourage them to return their unused medication to their local pharmacies. These initiatives have been funded by the HSE on a time bound basis in certain areas but to date no national programme has been established.
The landmark Community Pharmacy Agreement (CPA) 2025 supports the delivery of safe, equitable, and efficient healthcare. Under the CPA, a new Unused Medicines Return and Disposal national service is being established which will enable patients to return their unused medicines to their local community pharmacy. Under the Agreement, 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 officials, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Irish Pharmacy Union are finalising preparations for this service. Onboarding of over 1,900 community pharmacies for the service will commence next week and continue through the month of July. A campaign to raise public awareness will follow in early August once onboarding is complete.
My Department, the Irish Pharmacy Union and the HSE are currently engaged in finalising data evaluation aspects, including publication considerations, for the service. Evaluation will be a tangible way to build a clear evidence base on the scale of unused and expired medicines. 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.
