Harney to meet IPU on pharmacies dispute

Health Minister Mary Harney is due to meet the Irish Pharmacy Union at some stage this week in an effort to bring an end to the dispute over the fees paid for dispensing medicine under state schemes.

The HSE has unilaterally cut the fees in order to save hundreds of millions of euro per year, prompting hundreds of pharmacies to withdraw from their contracts with the State.

The situation has led to delays in the dispensing of prescription medicines in many parts of the country, despite contingency plans drawn up by the HSE.

The pharmacists say they are happy to accept a reduction in their fees, but it must be negotiated by both sides.

Ms Harney, however, has insisted that the cut imposed by the HSE will not be reversed.