IPU to hold meeting over HSE dispute

The executive of the Irish Pharmacy Union is meeting later this morning to decide how it will proceed with its dispute with the HSE which is now entering its second week.

Hundreds of pharmacists have withdrawn from the community drugs schemes in protest at a €133m cut to the payments they receive for dispensing medication under the schemes.

A significant number of pharmacies have closed as a result.

The IPU has called on Health Minister Mary Harney to appoint an independent mediator in an effort to resolve the row.

But the minister has firmly ruled this out and last night government sources indicated they are confident the dispute is coming to an end.

Meanwhile the HSE secured a High Court order yesterday compelling more than 30 pharmacies in the east to continue providing medicine under the schemes.