Pharmacists warn of medicine shortages

PROTESTING pharmacists have warned of widespread medicine shortages and dispensing delays from tomorrow with hundreds of chemists either remaining closed or refusing to dispense medicines under the community drugs schemes.

President of the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), Liz Hoctor, claimed contingency plans by the Health Service Executive (HSE) had failed miserably and the number of pharmacies who had withdrawn from the schemes since Saturday was far in excess of what the health authority was stating.

Ms Hoctor said up to 800 pharmacies had either stopped dispensing medicine or had closed indefinitely and that the protest was much wider than anticipated. But the HSE has claimed that more than 1,100 were still operating.

The health authority yesterday accused the IPU of deliberately using inaccurate information to create concern in the minds of people.

National director of the HSE’s Primary, Continuing and Community Care, Laverne McGuinness, said its contingency plans were designed to ensure that no patient in urgent need was left without medication.

As part of the HSE contingency plans nine dispensing sites were opened on the western seaboard and, where necessary, the HSE offered to provide transport to bring patients to their nearest participating pharmacies to have their prescriptions filled.

The IPU claimed problems were experienced by patients using the special HSE dispensary services in Donegal, Kerry and Mayo and that there were no back-up facilities in Waterford and Cavan.

“And, if they failed the test on a quiet bank holiday Saturday when prescription levels are always low, then we fear real disasters when demand picks up on Tuesday,” Ms Hoctor warned.

The dispute is over the decision by Health Minister Mary Harney to slash the fees pharmacists receive for dispensing drugs under the scheme by 24%. The IPU is claiming the cut is closer to 34%.

The HSE has warned pharmacists who have not served effective notice of their intention to quit the schemes, that it was reserving its right to take legal action.

It has also warned participating pharmacists refusing to fill state drug scheme prescriptions for new clients that they are in breach of contract.

“Pharmacists cannot walk away from their responsibilities when they choose to and inflict hardship on the communities they serve to pursue their own financial ends,” said Ms McGuinness.