Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
852. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the projected full-year cost of the GMS medicines optimisation support service, including the €0.35 fee payable per GMS item dispensed and the €32.50 monthly enhanced medicines optimisation support fee, as agreed under the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025; the amount paid out under each fee to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53325/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the day-to-day operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health services is a matter for HSE. The parts of this query which relate to the amount paid out under each fee to date in 2026 have therefore been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. In relation to the projected full-year cost of the GMS medicines optimisation support service, including the €0.35 fee payable per GMS item dispensed and the €32.50 monthly enhanced medicines optimisation support fee, as agreed under the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025, please see the information below:
To support medicine optimisation programme development as outlined within the agreement, a dedicated annual funding allowance of €4,500,000 will be made available from 2026. This yearly budgetary allocation is ring-fenced for community pharmacy delivered optimisation programmes.
In March 2026, I announced a significant reform of phased dispensing arrangements alongside the introduction of a new patient-centred medicines optimisation support framework. The reforms are designed to strengthen supports for vulnerable GMS (medical card) patients.
€24 million will fund the new GMS medicines optimisation fee which will be provided for each GMS item dispensed by the pharmacist. This will be €0.35 per GMS item dispensed.
An additional up to €4.5 million from the CPA medicines optimisation fund will support a €32.50 Enhanced Medicines Optimisation Support Fee: a targeted monthly fee paid per patient who clinically requires their medicines to be dispensed more frequently than weekly (e.g. daily or several times per week).
