Medical card patients could be affected by dispute

MEDICAL card patients around the country could be left unable to pick up their medication from local pharmacies if a dispute between the HSE and pharmacists isn’t resolved in the next 10 days.

According to the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, many pharmacists are operating the medical card and drug payment systems at a loss, and some may withdraw from the schemes if their concerns aren’t addressed.

So far the HSE has refused to negotiate with the IPU — which represents 1,600 pharmacists across the country — but the union has put forward a proposal for talks and meetings are due to take place amongst members next week to decide on strategy.