‘A basic safety measure’: Government urged to fund blister packs for older and vulnerable patients in Kildare

The government has been urged by a TD to fund blister medication packs for older and vulnerable patients in County Kildare and beyond.

Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh, has criticised the government’s lack of funding towards blister packs under the Community Pharmacy Agreement.

Her comments follow recent reports which detail that, from January 1, 2026, vulnerable patients could be hit with additional charges of up to €50 per month for blister packs in order to help them manage their medicines.

Concerns raised about this potential increase in charges recently prompted An Taoiseach Micheál Martin to assert that the government will "go back and discuss" the situation with the Health Service Executive (HSE).

However, Deputy Ní Raghallaigh remains unconvinced by his claim.

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She referred to the lack of funding as a "cruel decision will hit vulnerable and older people, those with disabilities and patients on complex medication regimes hardest".

The Deputy also claimed that it increases the risk of avoidable medication errors, illness and hospital admissions.

Furthermore, she said: "This move is particularly unfair in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis when people are already pushed to the pin of their collar with rising prices.

"It is simply wrong that vulnerable patients will no longer receive tablet blister packs free of charge, as they have for decades — this cruel move by the government is unfair and must be stopped."

'NOT A LUXURY'

She continued: "Blister packs are not a luxury or an optional extra; they are a basic safety measure that help people manage multiple medications correctly.

"For many older people and those living with long-term conditions, blister packs are the difference between taking medicines safely and risking missed doses, double dosing, or dangerous confusion.

"The government had an opportunity to include blister packs in the Community Pharmacy Agreement and fund them properly."

"Instead, the government has decided to leave this vital service outside the agreement, meaning people who need it most are now facing new charges."

The Kildare-town based politician further said: "This is a bad decision for the government to make at any time, but to make this choice during a cost-of-living crisis, when every euro is precious to people, is cruel.

"We’re talking about tens of thousands of people living with conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s now facing additional charges of up to €50 per month for these packs."

'IT'S LIKE THIS GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO MAKE LIFE HARDER FOR PEOPLE'

Deputy Ní Raghallaigh also claimed: "It’s like this government is determined to make life harder for people: hiking up student fees, the Local Property Tax, the cost of petrol and diesel, allowing big energy companies to jack up electricity and gas bills — and now, hitting the most vulnerable and elderly people with this blow."

Moreover, she said: "The health evidence is clear: good medicines management keeps people well, reduces complications and prevents avoidable hospital admissions.

"Asking patients to pay for this support is short-sighted and unfair."

She also called on the Minister for Health [Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD] to "urgently re-engage" with pharmacists and to ensure that blister packs are funded and provided free of charge for older people and at-risk groups.

"No one should be priced out of safe medication management," the Deputy said. "The government must step in and do the right thing."

The HSE has been contacted by the Leinster Leader for a response in relation to Deputy Ní Raghallaigh's comments.

Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh. File photograph

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.