Harney: Medical card holders will still get drugs despite pharmacist row

MEDICAL card patients will get their prescriptions filled even if pharmacies withdraw from the payments scheme when new cost-cutting measures are introduced tomorrow, Health Minister Mary Harney insisted yesterday.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is to more than halve wholesale service charges paid to pharmacies from 17% to 8%, with the margin further reduced to 7% — the Europe-wide industry norm, after a year.

The HSE said it would save €100 million a year if it reduces the wholesale price of drugs paid to pharmacies.