It is completely unacceptable that the rollout of free hormone replacement therapy for women has been delayed by a farcical blame game between the Department of Health and pharmacists, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney.
Deputy Gibney, who represents Dublin-Rathdown, said:
“Women suffering from symptoms of menopause have found themselves caught in the crossfire of an unedifying row between the department and the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU).
“This has resulted in a deeply frustrating delay to the introduction of the free HRT scheme, a €20 million budgetary measure that was supposed to be in place by the start of January.
“However, instead of seeing a reduction in their monthly medical expenses, women are still being charged in full for HRT products, with no clarity as to when the scheme will be introduced.
“While the IPU has complained about implementation gaps and insufficient preparedness by the outgoing government, the Department of Health has blamed pharmacists for the delay in a dispute over dispensing fees.
“It is unfortunate that these issues were not resolved in advance of legislation being passed to give effect to the free HRT scheme, as this delay has left thousands of women out of pocket.
“Whatever the reasons for the blockage, there must be an immediate end to this needless bickering between the department and the IPU in the interest of women’s healthcare.”
January 9, 2025