Pharmacy Services

Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Ceisteanna (2298)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

2298. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if an organisation (details supplied) is advising pharmacists participating in the free HRT scheme to investigate if their patients are transgender where they suspect the gender marker on their medical records differs from their sex assigned at birth; if so, by what means pharmacists are being advised to identify such cases and obtain this information; the legal basis for this requirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74966/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024 states that where a woman has been prescribed a HRT product by her healthcare provider to alleviate the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause, the cost of the HRT medications or products will be met by the State.

This is reflected in Pharmacy Circular 008/25 whereby the arrangement applies to women at the various stages related to menopause and includes perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause and medically induced menopause. This circular is available at the following link: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/pcrs/circulars/pharmacy/pharmacy-circular-08-25-hrt-arrangements.pdf.

It is in the circumstances outlined in the legislation that HRT medications are reimbursed under HRT Arrangements. The HSE must operate the arrangement in line with the legislation.

In addition, it is the professional responsibility of community pharmacists to clinically access prescriptions.