HSE to hold talks with pharmacists on payments row

The HSE is expected to hold talks with pharmacists later today in an effort to resolve the ongoing row over the price it pays for wholesale medicines.

The dispute centres on the HSE's decision to reduce the payments it makes to pharmacists for dispensing drugs under various government schemes.

The HSE has unilaterally imposed the cuts in an attempt to save €100m a year.

The Irish Pharmacists Union says that more than 800 pharmacies are considering withdrawing from community drugs schemes as a result.