'No one should have to pay to take their medication safely' - Leitrim councillor

Several councillor spoke out on their strong opposition to proposed changes to phased dispensing and blister pack medication arrangements, "which risk significant additional costs for vulnerable patients who rely on blister packs to manage complex prescriptions safely."

Cllr Gary Prior called on Leitrim County Council to ask Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to "reverse or amend these changes to ensure continued state support for necessary blister pack medication services, and to safeguard older people, people with disabilities and others dependent on these aids from financial hardship."

Cllr Gary Prior said that patients may have to pay additional monthly charges and stressed: "This is a matter of patient safety and no one should be asked to pay to simply take their medication safely."

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He said many carers would "request that these packs are there" with Cllr Paddy O'Rourke saying that the packs are a necessity. "It won't save anything forcing people to pay for the packs because when eras occur, the consequences can be extraordinary. For the sake of penny-pinching over the cost involved; that saving will be outweighed by those having to be admitted to hospital. People wouldn't have them in the didn't need them."

Cllr Mary Bohan said she was aware of some individuals who are on "18 to 30 tablets a day; and it's hard to imagine how you'd manage them without blister packs. Those working in care homes and home helps, it's essential."

Cllr Padraig Fallon said the packs are a "lifeline for many" with Cllr Eddie Mitchell saying they "are a very transparent way to know the tablets they are taking; how can people manage multiple tablets and for those looking after them. I can't understand why that decision was made."

Cllr Brendan Barry said people can become ill when they don't take their medication correctly and "it's any for home helps to know exactly what medication to give."

He added: "The government can find billions for developers, banks and landlords but for those with disabilities, they are penny pinching". 

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Cllr Róisín Kenny said "it was a disgrace that this is even an issue" and Cllr Sean McGowan also supporting the motion.