Pharmacists threaten to strike over dispute with HSE

PHARMACISTS have given health authorities a week to begin talks on improved payments or risk withdrawals from community drug schemes.

Many claim they are providing services under the medical card, drug payment and methadone treatment schemes at a loss and have demanded higher fees from the Government if they’re to continue to co-operate.

However, so far, the HSE and Department of Health have refused to engage in full negotiations on the matter and the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) has given health chiefs an ultimatum: “start talking or our members will stop filling medical card and drug payment prescriptions”.