Boots, the UK-based chemist chain, has denied it is to reduce business with Irish suppliers.
The Small Firms' Association claimed Boots had decided to delist Irish suppliers from its stores here.
The Food Drink and Tobacco Federation also said a large number of Irish suppliers had been told "Boots will no longer source product from them and will switch to direct importation from the UK".
Boots said, as previously announced, it was "reviewing its suppliers based on customer demand and profitability to the company".
"The position remains the same and all suppliers have been under a major review process, which will continue until July this year. When the new supply agreements are in place, Boots The Chemists' total business to Irish suppliers will increase from the position when it acquired Hayes Conyngham Robinson in January last year."
"It is untrue to say Boots The Chemists is not stocking Irish produce or sourcing goods from Irish suppliers. The company sources over £50 million worth of goods for its UK operations alone."