Pharmacies dispute - No talks, no progress

Confusion is rife over who is participating in the community drugs scheme, with some pharmacies on the HSE list insisting they notified the Health Service Executive they would not be participating.

On the other hand, the HSE states that every pharmacy it has listed as cooperating has a contract to do so, and it is threatening to take legal action for breach of contract.

Although it admits that there have been changes to the list of participating pharmacies, it states that it has actually added 340 pharmacies to the list of those dispensing drugs under the scheme. Hence the HSE is satisfied that its contingency plan is working well.

Pharmacies are contending, however, that the whole thing is a virtual disaster in waiting. They claim that the nine temporary pharmacies have made mistakes with prescriptions, and even some of the participating pharmacies have expressed fears that under the greatly increased pressure of work, some mistakes might be made that could be detrimental to patients.

Both sides accuse each other of putting patients at risk. Both sides are using the patients for their own ends, but it is not clear that they understand each other’s position. The pharmacies contend that the proposed cuts amount to 34% fall in earnings, while the HSE says it is only a 24% fall. Both sides can’t be right.

There is a need for meaningful talks with an intermediary to clear up the confusion. There will have to be cuts. Eventually, the two sides are going to have to settle their dispute. It is in everybody’s interest that they should seek help to settle the dispute without further delay.