Pharmacists concerned over HSE stopgap medicine plans

PHARMACISTS say they are gravely concerned about plans announced yesterday by the HSE to plug the gap left by those who stop providing medicines under the community drug schemes from next month.

As well as local health centres and hospitals, the health authority plans to use border county pharmacies in the North to dispense medicines under the Medical Card Schemes and Drug Payment Schemes from August 1.

Earlier this month, more than 1,000 pharmacists gave 30 days’ notice to the HSE of their intention to discontinue providing services under the community drugs schemes after fees paid to them under them were cut under emergency Government legislation.