As speculation surrounding the cabinet reshuffle continues, The Irish Pharmacy Union has made up a wish list for the new Health Minister.

Widespread medicine shortages and delays are being forecast by the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) following the withdrawal of as many as 800 pharmacists from the Drug Payment schemes.

The Pharmaceutical Union has urged all pharmacists to continue dispensing medication as normal today.

More than four out of five medical card holders want pharmacists to provide medicines for minor health problems without a prescription, it emerged today.

Pharmacists have called on the Health Service Executive to ensure that 6,000 opiate users in Ireland are put on their recovery programme.