'Common sense must prevail' - Kilkenny concern over 'deeply unfair' blister pack costs
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A Kilkenny councillor has demanded an urgent review by the Department of Health and HSE into the 'unacceptable' cost of medication blister packs.
Following strong political and public pressure last week, the government delayed plans to withdraw funding for the so called blister packs issued by pharmacies.
The packs, which are currently free of charge, keep daily dosage of tablets in separate plastic pockets which allows patients avoid confusion around what to take and when.
However, under current plans, a person using a blister pack could pay between €20 and €50 per month.
Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick has strongly condemned the decision by the Department of Health and the HSE to allow charges of up to €50 for blister pack medication services, costs that he claims will fall hardest on some of the most vulnerable people in society.
The local Fianna Fáil councillor described the charge as "deeply unfair, unnecessary and completely out of touch with the realities faced by people who rely on this essential service daily."
"Blister pack services are widely used by people who have complex medication needs, older people, and individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses," he told Kilkenny Live.
According to Cllr Fitzpatrick, placing a financial barrier on such a fundamental support risks compromising their health, independence, and wellbeing.
"Those who depend on blister packs do so because they genuinely need help to manage their medication safely. Introducing a charge of up to €50 is simply unacceptable and will cause real hardship. The Department of Health and HSE must reverse this immediately," he said.
Cllr Fitzpatrick is now calling on the Minister for Health to intervene without delay, reverse the decision, and ensure that no additional financial pressure is placed on vulnerable service users.
"This is a clear case where compassion and common sense must prevail," he added.
"The minister must immediately reverse the implementation of these charges," concluded the North Kilkenny representative.