New Health minister 'must be a champion for a reinvigorated' service

As speculation surrounding the cabinet reshuffle continues, The Irish Pharmacy Union has made up a wish list for the new Health Minister.

Among their suggestions is expanding the role of pharmacists; exempting vulnerable groups from paying the medical card prescription levy; educating prescribers and consumers about generic medicines and imposing a levy on tobacco companies.

Kathy Maher, President of the IPU, says these changes could make a huge difference.

She said: "The health service plays a very positive and central role in the lives of people in this country, it is staffed by highly skilled and dedicated professionals.

"So, whoever is Minister for Health must be a champion for a reinvigorated and inclusive health service that people can be proud to work in, and more impoprtantly, people can be proud to use.

"So I think the new minister has a challenge ahead, but I don't think that's insurmountable."