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The IPU is continuing to work hard both through our public political work (such as attending the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee recently) and behind the scenes to ensure that the Minister for Health and HSE understand the pressures on community pharmacy and act to resolve them. The Executive Committee of the IPU met last week, and the PCC (Pharmacy Contractors Committee) will meet this week.The number one priority over the coming months is progressing our strategy in this area.
In the short-term, our strategy is focused on entering talks with the Department of Health to seek an increase in our core dispensing fees. We are continuing to engage with TDs and are following up with the Oireachtas Health Committee on several fronts, including the appointment of a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, the provision of oral contraception via a structured consultation with a pharmacist, and a medicines shortages protocol. Additionally, we are scoping out with the Department of Health the mechanics of a minor ailment service provided through community pharmacy.
While movement on these issues can be frustratingly slow at times, we are satisfied that we are making progress in all these areas. We expect an intense period of activity over the next couple of months and will advise you of any developments or indeed, if we hit any roadblocks and need your collective mobilisation or assistance to overcome them.
