Pharmacy list - HSE blunder is adding to confusion

Health Minister Mary Harney is right in seeking to cut the cost of medicines. Of course, people differ about who is responsible for the current inflated prices. The minister accused the pharmacies of doubling the cost of medicine since 2002, whereas the pharmacists contend that prices are largely agreed between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

The minister contends the proposed cutbacks amount to 24%, whereas the pharmacies insist it is 34%. Pharmacists have accused the minister and the manufacturers of blocking the use of less expensive generic drugs, whereas the minister has accused the doctors of being in league with the manufactures by prescribing brand-named medicines instead of generic alternatives.

With each side blaming the other, one would think that both sides would be particularly careful about the accuracy of their own assertions at this crucial stage. But the HSE has again figuratively shot itself in the foot – this time by publishing a distorted list of pharmacies that are supposedly ready to distribute medicines on behalf of the HSE during the forthcoming pharmacists’ stoppage. Many of the pharmacies listed insist that they will not be cooperating with the HSE. As a result, the list is adding to the confusion.