Pharmacy row problems 'likely to get worse'

Protests which shut hundreds of pharmacies across Ireland will create even more problems next week, union organisers warned today.

The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), which is locked in a bitter row with the Government over plans to cut fees, claimed contingency plans for dealing with the industrial action laid by health chiefs were totally inadequate and warned of long queues.

However, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has highlighted large numbers of stores continuing to dispense medication under the controversial State Drug Schemes.

An IPU spokesman said: “We are very concerned that there won’t be adequate contingency plans, for this will get much worse next week when the pressure builds on Tuesday.”

He claimed the number of pharmacies supporting the action was higher than expected.

“We are hearing reports of the HSE sending legal letters to people and threatening them with legal action. The HSE is resorting to legal bullying to try to force pharmacies to stay open.”

The HSE said the number of pharmacies continuing to dispense medication under the schemes was more than 1,100.

A representative said: “Reports from every HSE base around the country indicate that there is no significant extra burden being placed on participating pharmacies due to the withdrawal of 500 pharmacies from the State Drug Schemes.

“The HSE’s alternative dispensing facilities are also fully operational today and in compliance with all regulations.”

The drug dispensing row centres around Health Minister Mary Harney’s attempts to reduce the cost of prescription medicine in Ireland.

Government health chiefs maintain the cost of dispensing under the Medical Card Scheme and the Drugs Payments Scheme have doubled since 2002 to more than €1.6bn in 2008 – with fees and other income earned by pharmacists also doubling.

The minister maintained that cuts to be imposed from today will slash payments to pharmacists by 24%, but stressed they will continue to earn high margins on prescriptions similar to what was paid in 2006 and 2007.

But the IPU claimed the figures do not add up and that its members will be hit with an unsustainable 34% cut.