Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2026
326. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has carried out a disability impact assessment, equality impact assessment, or human rights analysis in respect of the non-funding of monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, under the long-term Illness scheme; and if she will confirm whether the implications for people with disabilities living independently or with home-care supports were formally considered. [10670/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme covers the cost of medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of certain specific long-term conditions. The State does not fund, and has never funded monitored dosage systems (blister packs) under the LTI scheme.
However, the State has supported phased dispensing for medical card holders since 1996 for patient safety reasons and will continue to do so. Community pharmacies receive additional fees for this service. Phased dispensing means that the patient must attend the pharmacy multiple times per month (for example, weekly, twice weekly, or in some cases every day) to receive smaller quantities of their medication.
Recently, as part of the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025, changes were introduced to improve controls for phased dispensing. This will ensure that patients on high-risk medicines, such as anti-psychotics or opioids, are appropriately targeted with support.
I wish to thank the Deputy for the opportunity to reiterate that phased dispensing and monitored dosage systems are not the same thing.
The State has never funded blister packs. Therefore, there has been no removal or withdrawing of funding by the State. It remains a private service, and community pharmacies may decide to charge patients for providing this service.
