900 pharmacists quit drugs schemes

MORE than 900 pharmacists have told the Health Service Executive they are withdrawing from the community drugs schemes.

The pharmacists have written to the health authority giving 30 days’ notice of their intention to discontinue providing services under the scheme.

The Irish Pharmacy Union said the move will result in over half of all pharmacies ceasing to dispense medicines under the Medical Card Scheme and Drugs Payment Scheme from August 1 next.

Currently, 1,521 pharmacists hold a contract with the HSE for the provision of medicines to patients on the community drugs schemes.

Government payment cuts of up to €133m, introduced under emergency legislation earlier this year, came into effect yesterday.

Health Minister Mary Harney said the measures would mean pharmacists’ income under various state schemes would fall back to the levels paid in 2006.

A spokesperson for the HSE confirmed that a number of pharmacists have written to the authority on the new regulations. “The HSE is committed to implementing the new regulations as directed by the minister.”

The IPU has warned many other pharmacists were considering their position and urged Ms Harney to enter talks to avoid a medicines crisis.

Ms Harney said she recognised the payment cuts would pose a challenge, but IPU president Liz Hoctor said they were “excessive and unsustainable”.

Ms Hoctor said the 34% cut in payments would damage pharmacy services, patient care and lead to up to 5,000 job losses. She said pharmacists wanted the minister to engage with them immediately on how savings could be achieved without having a catastrophic impact on services, patient care and employment.

Ms Hoctor said they recognised the gravity of the country’s economic situation and back in March made proposals to the minister that would save the state €83m. Their proposals included allowing pharmacists to offer patients the choice of cheaper generic medicine where it was safe to do so and the acceptance of an 8% cut in pharmacy fees, which was in line with cuts imposed on other healthcare professionals.

Community pharmacist Kathy Maher said the 34% “bombshell” that landed on her business last month was equivalent to the loss of up to six staff members. Ms Maher, who has a pharmacy in Duleek, Co Meath, said there were eight staff members, including herself and her husband. About four weeks ago, staff were asked to take a 10% salary cut because of the recession.

“I am not able to provide the service. These cuts are more than my costs and will make my business unviable,” said Ms Maher, who put her staff on 30 days protective notice when she informed the HSE of her intention to withdraw from the schemes.