Patients urged to stock up on medication

PATIENTS in need of medication under community drugs schemes are advised to fill their prescriptions today ahead of an emergency meeting of pharmacists in Dublin tomorrow.

The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said the meeting is likely to cause the closure of some pharmacies in the morning and early afternoon as pharmacists from around the country gather in emergency session ahead of a planned withdrawal from all community drugs schemes on August 1.

The pharmacists’ action is in response to the Government’s decision to reduce fees paid to pharmacists under a variety of community drugs schemes in a bid to save €55 million by the end of the year and €133m in a full year.