HUNDREDS OF pharmacies across the country are due to withdraw from the State community drug schemes today in a dispute over the fees they receive for dispensing medication.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) said yesterday up to 900 pharmacies would continue to provide services under the scheme, but it had put in place contingency plans to minimise any inconvenience.
A HSE spokeswoman said that as of midday yesterday, the number of valid notices it had received from community pharmacists planning to terminate their agreement to operate the State schemes stood at 726.
Customers whose usual pharmacy would no longer be participating in the schemes could take their prescription to any participating pharmacy, she added.
The pharmacists are withdrawing from the schemes, including medical cards and the drug payment scheme, in protest at cuts in fees and payments of €133 million introduced by the Government.
However, it is understood that Unicarepharmacy, which has 73 outlets nationwide, has told the HSE that it will not be in a position to take part in its contingency arrangements during the coming dispute.
Sources said that while Unicare- pharmacies will continue to dispense under the State drug schemes to existing patients, it has told the HSE that it would not be in a position to cater for new cases.
Under the contingency plan, the HSE has put in place alternative dispensing facilities in 10 locations in counties Roscommon, Donegal, Mayo and Kerry. A further two facilities – in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim and Falcarragh, Co Donegal – are on standby.
In a statement, the HSE asked pharmacies that had chosen to withdraw from the schemes to identify to the local HSE pharmacist those patients who may require extra supports. “Those with friends or relatives who may have difficulty travelling to an alternative pharmacy or getting access to their medicines should think ahead and plan where they can help them to get their medicines,” the statement added.
Laverne McGuinness, the HSE’s national director of primary, continuing and community care, said the executive would continue to provide essential medication to the public under the State drugs schemes. While the pharmacy network provided a crucial and highly professional service, she said the cost of the schemes to taxpayers could not be sustained.
“It is now approaching €2 billion annually and we must continue to put in place efficiency measures to address these escalating costs,” she said.
However, the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) warned that patients were now facing an “intolerable situation” and claimed the HSE’s contingency plans were “totally inadequate”.
IPU president Liz Hoctor suggested that under the HSE’s contingency plan, pharmacy cover in areas such as Waterford, Wexford, Cavan, Donegal, Kerry, Connemara and Mayo would be inadequate and that this could lead to “dangerous situations.”
In response to calls for a mediator to be appointed, Ms Hoctor said the IPU was “willing to engage in an attempt to resolve matters”. She said she deeply regretted any distress caused to patients who would be adversely affected by the situation.
She said community pharmacists had been forced into the situation by Minister for Health Mary Harney’s “unilateral decision to impose a disproportionate and unsustainable 34 per cent cut” in pharmacy payments.
Information and a full list of pharmacies participating in the State drugs schemes, is available on the HSE website, www.hse.ie, and by phoning the HSE information line on 1850 24 1850.