Pharmacy situation 'continuing to deteriorate'

Pharmacists today warned that the quality of service and care to patients around the country is continuing to deteriorate as a row continues between pharmacists and the HSE.

The Irish Pharmacy Union said contingency plans introduced by the HSE after hundreds of pharmacies withdrew from the medical card scheme in protest at the decision to unilaterally reduce their fees were completely inadequate.

The HSE insists hundreds more pharmacies are still participating in the scheme and it has also set up temporary facilities to dispense medicines in some areas

John Corr, Chairman of the IPU Contracts Committee however said it was clear the situation was snowballing out of control in many areas as the HSE dispensaries and other pharmacies struggled to deal with a backlog of prescriptions and medicine shortages.

"The HSE dispensary in Ballina still has not opened," Corr said.

"Last night there were 80 people queuing for medicines at a HSE dispensary in Donegal at 10 o’clock at night. Only 40 of them got medicines and many of those prescriptions were filled incompletely.

"We are receiving many reports of long delays, poor service and lack of stock in north County Dublin, Waterford city, Donegal, Mayo and Kerry."