Pharmacists fear payment cuts will lead to closures

FEARS that cuts being forced through by Government will threaten the viability of pharmacies will dominate the Irish Pharmacy Union’s AGM today.

Pharmacists will call at their meeting in Waterford for the emergency legislation, introduced last February, to be repealed, as it allows Health Minister Mary Harney to cut payments under the community drugs payments scheme.

Pharmacists are worried that the Government will shortly announce the cuts that could damage patient care and lead to further job losses.