Government accused of being 'Scrooge-like' over plans for blister pack pharmacy charges

People may be charged up to €50 a month from January for blister-pack medication

Blister packs allow people to take their medication according to the prescribed dose schedule.

The Government has been accused of a “Scrooge-like” response over possible charges for dispensing medicine in blister packs from January, the Dáil has heard.

Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy said elderly people could face bills of up to €50 per month in pharmacy fees for medicines in blister packs, saying that they will not be able to absorb the cost.

Blister packs are the type of pre-formed plastic packaging used for some pharmaceuticals.

“Blister packs are not a luxury. They’re a lifeline. Tens of thousands rely on them, older people managing multiple medications, people with dementia or Alzheimer’s, those with intellectual disabilities, brain injuries, mental health challenges,” Mr Carthy said.

“Carers and frontline workers know exactly what will happen without them, because these packs allow people to live independently."

Communications minister Patrick O’Donovan said there is still an opportunity for the HSE to engage with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) over blister pack charges, adding he expected talks to take place.

“The reality here as well is that health has now the largest budget that it has ever had, €27bn into health for 2026. It’s not an insignificant amount of money,” Mr O’Donovan said.

Mr Carthy said the Government does not understand people struggling with the cost of living.

“There are people, vulnerable people, who need blister packs to get by in their day-to-day lives to have some semblance of independence,” Mr Carthy said.

“Currently [they] get those blister packs free of charge and you, your Scrooge-like Government, through your Scrooge-like minister, are going to charge them €20, €30, maybe even €50 per month come the new year.”

The Fine Gael minister hit back at Mr Carthy, saying Sinn Féin “do a very good job of pretending that you have a monopoly on people’s concerns in this country”.

Mr O’Donovan accused Sinn Féin of being “incapable of understanding” where the income of the State comes from, amid interruptions from the opposition benches.

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Labour’s Conor Sheehan criticised both Fine Gael and Sinn Féin’s bickering in the Dáil chamber.

“This is Dáil Éireann, not Kilmallock cattle mart. Every Thursday we’re treated to the same thing,” Mr Sheehan said.

There was further commotion in the Dáil, with Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward calling Mr Sheehan a “muppet”.

Labour’s Ged Nash called for Mr Ward to withdraw the remark, adding it is “not acceptable” in parliament.