Harney rejects mediation call in pharmacists' dispute

Health Minister Mary Harney has again ruled out mediation in the dispute that has seen hundreds of pharmacies around the country withdraw from the medical-card scheme.

The Irish Pharmacy Union says its members will resume dispensing medicine under State drug schemes if an independent mediator is appointed to resolve the row.

However, Ms Harney is insisting that there will be no change to the reduced payments pharmacists are receiving for operating the schemes.

The HSE has unilaterally reduced the fees as part of cost-cutting measures, prompting hundreds of pharmacies to withdraw from their State contracts.

The HSE says hundreds more pharmacies are still operating the schemes and special dispensaries have also been set up in several areas to ensure all patients can get their medicines.

The IPU, however, says the contingency plan is not working, with patients in areas such as Donegal, Waterford and north Dublin the worst affected.

All 12 pharmacies on the Inishowen peninsula in Donegal decided to open to dispense medicine yesterday after around 200 patients queued for hours on Tuesday and Wednesday nights waiting for their drugs to be delivered from a contingency HSE chemist.