Talks to prevent pharmacies abandoning drugs schemes ‘constructive’

TALKS aimed at preventing pharmacists from pulling out of community drugs schemes will continue today after a “constructive” session yesterday.

More than 800 pharmacists have threatened to stop dispensing medicines to patients who use medical cards or the drug refund scheme from this Thursday in protest at the Health Service Executive’s decision to reduce reimbursement fees. However, the Irish Pharmacy Union said a meeting with HSE officials yesterday was constructive and efforts would continue towards finding a way to resolve the dispute.

“Contacts will continue over the next 24 hours,” an IPU spokeswoman although she added that the threat of a pull-out remained.