Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
1111. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE has carried out any national assessment since 2020 of the annual cost to the Exchequer of unused, expired, uncollected, or otherwise wasted medicines under State-funded medicine schemes; and if she will publish any such assessment. [38763/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince part of the PQ refers to whether the HSE has carried out any national assessment of the annual cost to the Exchequer of unused medicines, this part of the PQ has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
In relation to whether my Department has carried out any such national assessment; to date, there has been no national programme established for the collection and safe disposal of unused medicines.
Traditionally community pharmacists have facilitated patients in returning unused medicines 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 medicines 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. As a result, we do not have full national data to assess, regarding medicines waste.
However, 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 is to commence in the coming months.
It is envisaged that an element of cataloguing and evaluation of the medicines that are returned to pharmacies will take place as part of this new national campaign. This will enable assessment, in the future, of the cost of unused, expired, uncollected, or otherwise wasted medicines.
