State-funded HRT will commence on June 1

Deputy Michael Lowry has been informed that the provision of State-funded HRT will commence for women from June 1 and, in an additional move, the pharmacy dispensing fee will also now be free of charge.

When free HRT was announced in Budget 2025, only the medication cost itself was included, with patients obliged to pay the cost incurred for dispensing the medication at the chemist.

This new move means that patients can get completely free HRT products from June 1.

All community pharmacies have been asked to support and facilitate the women in their communities to access State-funded HRT products and medicines. They will be paid a €5 dispensing fee per HRT medicine/product dispensed to all eligible patients, including those existing patients under the GMS/DPS Schemes and for all other patients prescribed HRT, including private patients.

In addition, a €1,000 once-off grant will be paid to every participating pharmacy.

June 1 has been selected as the date for commencement of this pharmacy support to allow participating pharmacies time to be ready to facilitate the free HRT scheme to their customers.

The HSE will notify all community pharmacies of the reimbursement arrangements, the process for participation and the mechanism to receive the €1,000 grant.

An information campaign will commence in the coming days providing further information for patients.

To access this support, women will be asked to register for the Drug Payment Scheme.

Online applications can be made at https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/drugs-payment-scheme/apply/