Few pharmacists will pull out over drug cost-cutting

JUST two pharmacy owners have told the Health Service Executive (HSE) they will withdraw from the medical card scheme when new cost-cutting measures are introduced on Saturday.

The HSE wants to cut wholesale service charges by more than 50% to around 8% — the Europe-wide industry norm, with the margin reduced to 7% after one year.

The HSE said it contacted the owners of 1,600 pharmacists about their plans to cut the Government’s spend on the drug’s scheme by €100 million.