Pharmacists lose court battle against fees cut

The Irish Pharmacy Union has today lost its High Court challenge to the Government's decision to cut fees for dispensing drugs under the community drugs scheme.

Cuts of up to 24% led to widespread action by chemists last July, with many closing their doors and refusing to dispense medicines.

They argued the reductions would lead many of pharmacies to go out of business.

Although the Judge conceded the reductions represented a "great burden" for some pharmacists, he ruled that the cuts, which were introduced by way of emergency legislation, were made in the interests of securing "best value" for the Government.