Health centres and hospitals may operate as ‘pharmacies’

LOCAL health centres and hospitals across the country may be used by the Health Service Executive as alternative pharmacies to ensure people continue to receive their medicines free of charge under the community drug schemes.

More than 1,000 pharmacists have given 30 days’ notice to the HSE of their intention to discontinue providing services under the Medical Card Schemes and Drug Payment Schemes from August 1.

Irish Patients Association spokesperson, Stephen McMahon, said he hoped the contingency plans would be strong enough to ensure no patient died.

“You are looking at an increased workload falling on too few pharmacists for so many patients.

“We have a serious concern about the risks to patients,” said Mr McMahon, who called on all sides to get together and find a solution to the dispute.

A spokesperson for the HSE said the authority would be advising people through the media and a public information campaign where they could continue to get their medicines under the state schemes without having to pay for them.

“The HSE has a widespread network of local health centres across the country and locations for the operation of the additional dispensing sites are being identified,” the spokesperson said.

The authority wrote to the country’s 1,660 community pharmacists earlier this month in a bid to clarify what kind of disruption will result from the threatened action.

Some of the larger pharmacies have indicated to the HSE that they will continue to provide services under the community drug schemes.

“The contingency plans will reflect what happens,” said the spokesperson.

She said the health authority was very conscious of those who would be most affected by the development and their paramount objective was ensuring minimal disruption of services to such people.

Age Action Ireland said elderly people living in rural areas without transport and those who were housebound should be prioritised by the HSE.

Community pharmacist, Kathy Maher, who has informed the HSE of her intention to withdraw from the schemes, said the cuts would destroy her business.

Ms Maher, who has a pharmacy in Duleek, Co Meath, said 70% of her income comes from prescriptions with three-quarters representing community drugs schemes.

She pointed out that she purchased the pharmacy in 2005 and now feared that she would not be able to make the bank payments because of the cuts.

lA list of pharmacists who have given notice to the HSE is available on the Irish Pharmacy Union’s website at www.ipu.ie.