Pharmacists object to drug scheme

HEALTH Minister Micheál Martin and pharmacists are at war over controversial changes to the drugs repayment scheme.

As part of a €20m cost-cutting drive, the minister is to axe advance payments to chemists, reduce subsidies for medicines and increase the use of cheaper generic drugs. However, pharmacists are angered by the move and are demanding an immediate meeting with Minister Martin.

They say they were not consulted over the measures and argue that attempts to stamp out invalid claims will penalise people who are ill.