Pharmacists give warning over pace of talks

PHARMACISTS have warned the Government a row over plans to refuse to dispense drugs to medical card holders could flare up again because of the slow progress of talks with the Health Service Executive.

The Irish Pharmacy Union said the community drugs scheme could be at risk again if the HSE fails to deliver on commitments it gave to the profession’s representative body last month.

About 1,000 pharmacists called off plans to withdraw from dispensing certain drugs on May 1 in protest at the HSE’s proposals to cut reimbursement payments to pharmacies for handling prescriptions under the medical card and drugs subsidy schemes.