Crucial for Women in Cork that Local Pharmacies play their part in delivering free HRT

It’s vital that pharmacies in Cork come on board to deliver the free HRT that women need, Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea has said.

Deputy O’Shea is calling on pharmacies across Cork to sign up to the HRT scheme, to ensure women receive the medication and healthcare they need and have been promised. 

“I am grateful to my colleague Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill for engaging with all stakeholders including the Irish Pharmacy Union. Implementing the free HRT scheme announced by her predecessor was always a priority for the Minister since she took office. Minister Carroll MacNeill is committed to supporting each participating community pharmacy by paying them a €5 dispensing fee per HRT medicine/product dispensed to all eligible patients, including those existing patients under the GMS/DPS Schemes and for all other patients prescribed HRT (“private patients”), and €1,000 once-off grant to every participating community pharmacy. The symptoms women encounter during perimenopause and menopause are varied and women’s lives can be hugely impacted. HRT is such an important medicinal regime for women and can positively improve their lives and make daily living much easier.

“I would urge all pharmacies in Cork including those the Irish Pharmacy Union represent to engage with the scheme proposed by the Minister. Women need the support of their local trusted pharmacist when embarking on any medication and if any changes are needed during their treatment. I expect that they will contact their own pharmacies in their droves to ask that they be provided with the free medication they are now entitled to. This scheme is transformational for women. Fine Gael and Minister Carroll MacNeill are playing its part by committing to financially reimburse pharmacies a dispensing fee. I would ask all pharmacies in Cork to join the scheme and to continue to deliver quality healthcare for their communities,” concluded Deputy O’Shea