Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has acknowledged ongoing complications in implementing a national plan to provide free Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) products, which was originally announced in Budget 2025 and intended to launch in January.
The scheme, which would make HRT free for women not holding medical cards, has encountered significant implementation challenges. Currently, HRT can cost between €30 to €70 monthly, with the new plan initially covering the medication cost of approximately €40, but not the pharmacist’s dispensing fee of around €20.
Speaking in Dún Laoghaire, Carroll MacNeill explained that there was a widespread misunderstanding about the scheme’s scope. While €20 million was allocated to cover medication costs, the government did not initially plan to cover dispensing fees, leading to delays in implementation.
The minister met with the Irish Pharmacy Union on 11 February to discuss the rollout, recognizing broader priorities including potential fee restructuring. She emphasized her desire to see pharmacies expand their healthcare role, including potentially prescribing for common conditions.
“Most women have said to me that they would be happy to pay the dispensing fee,” Carroll MacNeill noted, while also advocating for more transparency around pharmacy costs.
According to The Journal, the scheme remains in limbo, with women continuing to pay full costs for HRT products. Carroll MacNeill described the situation as an “unusual engagement” and is seeking a compromise that recognizes pharmacists’ expertise while maintaining budgetary constraints.
The Health Minister suggested the current impasse represents an initial effort to address HRT costs, even if the implementation has not been straightforward. She remains committed to finding a workable solution that balances healthcare access with financial considerations.
The ongoing negotiations highlight the complexities of introducing new healthcare initiatives, particularly those involving multiple stakeholders and precise financial arrangements.