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Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Women in Ireland can avail of free HRT treatment from today
The medicine-based treatment for symptoms of menopaurse, perimenopause and postmenopause will now be available for free when HRT has been deemed clinically appropriate and is prescribed by a healthcare provider. People without medical cards who wish to avail of free HRT will also have to register for a Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) card. A tool for finding which pharmacies are taking part in the free HRT scheme has also been created by the HSE. €20 million in funding for the introduction of the scheme was included as part of Budget 2025. The free HRT scheme was originally planned to be rolled out in January after the former Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced the passing of legislation paving the way for the scheme last year, but it was met with delays. Successful talks involving the Government and pharmacists earlier this year paved the way for the scheme to go ahead. Last month, there was confirmation the free HRT scheme would be going ahead following negotiations between the Department of Health and the Irish Pharmacists Union (IPU), with the IPU agreeing to endorse the scheme. Pharmacists had rejected a €5 dispensing fee for HRT products and said the fee was unsustainable, and the Government has since agreed to cover the fee. In order to incentivise pharmacies to sign up to the scheme, Government will also give each participating pharmacy a one-off €1,000 grant for the establishment of the scheme. HRT treatment was already free to medical card holders but is now available free to all women, saving between €30 and €70 per month. ADVERTISEMENT The products have also been subject to shortages both in Ireland and abroad. "Free HRT is available for women from today, Sunday, June 1, at participating pharmacies all over Ireland. This is a fantastic support for women and a significant milestone in our commitment to women's health,' Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said. 'From today, every woman in Ireland has free access to both essential HRT products and the dispensing fees, removing financial barriers and providing vital support during all stages of menopause. 'I thank the Irish Pharmacy Union for their partnership in this initiative and those pharmacies right across Ireland that have signed up. I encourage women to log on to the HSE's pharmacy finder to locate their nearest participating pharmacy.'
Irish Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Laws to ban disposable vapes should be fast-tracked, heart charity says
Laws to ban disposable vapes should be fast-tracked in a bid to stub out the e-cigarette 'epidemic,' a heart-health charity has declared. The devices will be banned in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK from June 1, and the Irish Heart Foundation wants the rule to extend to the Republic of Ireland as well. The move comes after cabinet approved draft laws tabled by the then Health Minister Stephen Donnelly last September to ban single-use vapes after Government research concluded they are relatively cheap and disproportionately used by younger people. The call comes ahead of 'World No Tobacco Day', which will take place this Saturday, May 31. The Irish Heart Foundation said Ireland spearheaded the workplace smoking ban, which came into effect in 2004 - but that we were losing the battle against youngsters vaping. Mark Murphy, who is the charity's senior policy manager, said: 'In light of the forthcoming UK ban, Ireland needs to follow suit - and fast. 'We need an all-island ban on single-use e-cigarettes, which are detrimental to young people's health and overturning the strides Ireland has made in reducing nicotine addiction. 'However, even if we successfully introduce a ban on these vapes, we need to future-proof it to avoid loopholes which e-cigarette companies will do everything to exploit.' Mr Murphy also revealed that some of the loopholes manufacturers are using to get around new rules include creating super-sized 'Big Puff' devices which offer up to 6,000 puffs compared to the usual 600. These do not breach existing law as their tanks contain 2ml of vape liquid. The UK hopes the new rules will have positive health and environmental implications. The devices contain lithium-ion batteries, which present a fire hazard and lead to the loss of valuable metals. It is estimated a million single-use vapes are thrown away there every day. Public sentiment here also supports a crackdown - Ipsos research for the Irish Heart Foundation in 2023 showed that 64 per cent of people back the banning of disposable e-cigarettes in Ireland. Belgium and France have taken action on disposable vapes, whilst other countries have banned child-friendly flavours and introduced plain packaging. Mr Murphy added: 'It makes no sense to have a two-tier island where single-use vapes are banned in Northern Ireland but freely available in the Republic. 'Vaping can affect teenage brain development, damage blood vessels, cause high blood pressure, cause changes in heart rhythm, and have serious effects on the respiratory system. 'Worst of all, research indicates that vaping is a gateway to smoking, which is still claiming 12 lives every day in Ireland, making it our biggest cause of preventable death.' The Irish Heart Foundation is also seeking a dedicated quitline for vaping, tailored to young adults. Meanwhile, the latest Irish European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) Report found that 32 per cent of respondents have tried e-cigarettes, with 16 per cent stating that they are current users. A total of 24 per cent of the 15-16 year olds surveyed reported that they have tried smoking, with 12 per cent stating that they are current smokers. Last year, a Royal College of Surgeons study found cancer and lung injuries are 'almost a certainty' in the future for long-term vape users. Flavoured vapes mimicking fruit, candy and dessert flavours are the most concerning, Professor of Chemistry at RCSI and lead author of the study Dr Dónal O'Shea said. These flavours are more dangerous and need 'urgent attention' as they contain anywhere from six to 20 different chemicals to make the commercial flavour. The study, which was conducted using artificial intelligence, found that once these chemicals were heated, very toxic compounds were detected. Fruit and candy-flavoured vapes had the most volatile carbonyls (VCs) present, which are known to pose serious health risks such as cancer and pulmonary disease. The study noted that the 'cocktail of chemicals' used in these flavours were never intended to be heated to high temperatures for inhalation. A total of 127 hazardous chemicals detected from vapes used in the study were classified as 'Acute Toxic', 153 as 'Health Hazards' and 225 as 'Irritants'. While vape manufacturers say their products are targeted at people trying to quit smoking cigarettes, Professor O'Shea says vaping causes a 'different profile of chemical hazards' compared to tobacco.
The Journal
28-05-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Delay to plans to have pharmacies prescribe for UTIs, thrush, and coldsores in Ireland
PLANS TO HAVE pharmacies across Ireland prescribing medications for common conditions including uncomplicated urinary tract infections, vulvovaginal thrush, cold sores and other common conditions have been delayed. The then-Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said in August last year that it was his department's intention that pharmacies would be prescribing for eight common conditions by the start of 2025. Now an implementation oversight group is working towards a date 'by the end of 2025″ for delivering the so-called 'common conditions service' in pharmacies. The Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has made it clear that completing this work this year, and to see pharmacies begin to provide this service within the year is a matter of priority for her. A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that an oversight group is currently working to finalise the clinical protocols, education and training for pharmacists, a package of required regulations, and operational aspects of the service. The Irish Pharmacists Union (IPU) warned in August of 2024 that there was considerable work to be done before the scope of the work done in pharmacies could be expanded. In August of last year Tom Murray, the President of the IPU, said that community pharmacists were effectively being paid less than they were in 2009 and that it was not 'acceptable' for the Department to layer on new schemes to an 'already underfunded and resourced group of healthcare professionals'. Advertisement A spokesperson for the IPU told The Journal that the move to have pharmacies prescribe for common conditions was on foot of a recommendation of an expert taskforce to expand of the role of pharmacists in Ireland. The Minister for Health then set up a community pharmacy expansion implementation oversight group made up of representatives from the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, the IPU, the Health Products Regulatory Authority and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. The IPU said that the work of this group is still ongoing with the aim of having all enablers to support the delivery of a common conditions service in place by the year end. Pharmacies have been able to prescribe for common conditions like UTIs, which often see women in particular requiring antibiotics, since 2023. The original taskforce was established in July of 2023, consisting of 13 experts who represented many of the main stakeholders involved, and it delivered its final report in August 2024. Its report said that pharmacies should be able to prescribe for allergic rhinitis, cold sores, conjunctivitis, impetigo, oral thrush, shingles, uncomplicated UTIs and vulvovaginal thrush. The then-Minister for Health said that the move would alleviate pressure on GPs – one of the key aims of the Sláintecare health reform strategy. It would also potentially see a lesser cost attached to treating common health conditions, including those that can impact some women and men on a recurring basis, such as UTIs and thrush. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Former health minister pushed for greater flexibility on CEO pay
Publicly-owned companies which do not rely on the State for funding should have greater freedom in setting pay rates for their top executives, former minister for health Stephen Donnelly told a government-appointed review of remuneration last year. Mr Donnelly said while some form of policy was necessary regarding chief executive remuneration in the commercial State sector, 'a strong case can be made for those bodies which do not have recourse to the State for funding to be dealt with in a different manner to reflect this'. In a letter to the Senior Post Remuneration Committee (SPRC) the then minister said: 'Perhaps such bodies could be permitted to offer an increased level of basic pay to their CEOs. Or the rules pertaining to the current headroom in pay required between the CEO and the next highest executive (usually held to be 10 per cent) could be altered.' SPRC chairwoman Maeve Carton had written to ministers, including Mr Donnelly, inviting them to make submissions regarding remuneration in commercial State companies that came under their auspices. READ MORE [ VHI swings back to profit as premium prices rise Opens in new window ] [ The Irish Times view on Irish health insurance Opens in new window ] Mr Donnelly said that as minister for health, VHI was the only commercial State company in his area. He said while it did not require State funding and operated in a competitive and commercial marketplace, VHI remained 'a valuable asset in State ownership'. 'Therefore I, and by extension the State, have a duty to ensure that it is not hindered in any meaningful way from carrying out its permitted activities in the highly competitive market in which it operates. 'The recruitment and retention of very highly qualified and skilled individuals, including at CEO level, is undoubtedly one of its main priorities and the provision of appropriate remuneration should reflect this.' He noted that VHI was the largest non-life insurance company in the State, with gross earned premiums in 2023 of €1.684 billion and over 1.2 million customers. It required a 'specific calibre of CEO', he said, who can successfully manage a company of its size and complexity. 'The applicable remuneration should reflect this,' he wrote. 'The new VHI (group) CEO role has changed to a large extent in recent years. In addition to being regulated by the Central Bank, it is now organised in a group structure with a number of growing subsidiary companies. It is an increasingly complex organisation that has expanded into the provision of health services as well as providing private health insurance.' VHI accounts for 2023 showed the annual basic salary for its chief executive officer was €287,000. In 2022, the insurer told a Government-appointed independent review panel that restrictions on pay and pensions were adversely impacting its ability to compete and grow. 'VHI is experiencing significant risk in recruiting and retaining colleagues based on State remuneration restrictions when benchmarked against industry equivalents. It has experienced difficulties in attracting and retaining senior staff. Remuneration restrictions mean that we are competing for the same talent that others are competing for without the same restrictions. It is vital for the long term sustainability of VHI and to allow us execute our business strategy that we are able to attract and retain the people we need to run and develop the business.' Last month following the report of the SPRC, the Government signalled it would update rules to allow a 'market rate' to be paid to chief executives in commercial State companies.
Irish Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Free HRT to be available from June after agreement reached with pharmacies
Free Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) will be available in some pharmacies from next month, following months of disagreements between the Government and pharmacies. Former health minister Stephen Donnelly announced as part of Budget 2026 that free HRT would be made available to women. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medicines alleviate the symptoms of women experiencing menopause. Mr Donnelly confirmed at the time that the cost of the medicines, which can include patches, tablets and gels, would be covered by the State, but that costs associated with prescriptions and pharmacy dispensing would not be included. The scheme was supposed to come into effect from January 1, 2025 but issues arose with pharmacies and their unions regarding who would pay the dispensing costs. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has now confirmed that an agreement has been reached with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) over the scheme. The arrangement will include the Government providing a pharmacy dispensing fee of €5 per HRT item and a €2,000 once-off grant to each participating community pharmacy to support transition arrangements, including ICT system upgrades. However, not all pharmacies will take part and the HSE will launch a 'pharmacy finder' on its website so that women can find the nearest participating pharmacy to them. Minister MacNeill said: 'I am delighted that the women of Ireland will be able to receive their HRT medication completely free of charge in participating pharmacies from June 1, 2025. 'With the full support of the IPU for the free HRT scheme, I anticipate that every pharmacy will now sign up, which I warmly welcome. 'Our pharmacists and community pharmacies are pillars of the community. They are the most accessible healthcare profession and are hugely trusted by the public. 'I hugely welcome the contribution pharmacists make to women's health and to our health services. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the sector in the coming weeks and months.' The IPU welcomed the 'commencement of talks' under a new framework agreement with the Department of Health and HSE. They stated it included commitments to 'review pharmacy fees, reduce administrative burdens, and support digitalisation'. Padraig Rice, Social Democrats TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, stated that Minister Carroll MacNeill must ensure that people who had to pay for their HRT due to the delay are reimbursed. He said: 'A firm commitment was given, by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, that free HRT would be rolled out for women from January this year. That commitment was breached. 'Instead, the Health Minister has been unable to get an agreement with the Irish Pharmacy Union over the line until today. 'While I welcome the fact that this deal has belatedly been reached, women who rely on HRT have already spent, on average, hundreds of euro on this vital medication this year. 'If government promises are to mean anything, then this money should be reimbursed to all of those women.'
