HSE's pharmacist list 'incorrect'

The HSE will publish a list of the 852 community pharmacists that it says will continue to fill all prescriptions under the medical card and other state drugs schemes from August 1 tomorrow. It will exclude the 762 pharmacists who have served the HSE with a valid 30 day written notice of termination.

However, the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has told irishhealth.com that far more than 762 pharmacists have given the HSE notice that they will not be dispensing drugs under the Community Drug Schemes from August 1. According to the IPU, the HSE’s list is incorrect as more than 1,100 pharmacists will stop dispensing drugs under the schemes.

The HSE is publishing its list on its website and in national newspapers.

According to the HSE, 30 days written notice is required to terminate the pharmacists’ contract, and just 762 pharmacists have fulfilled this requirement. Approximately 70 pharmacists have also so far chosen to withdraw their termination notices, the HSE said.

The pharmacists are withdrawing their services because of a cut in payments to them.

Members of the public will be able to get updates on the HSE’s Infoline at 1850 24 1850.

Meanwhile, Age Action has urged older people to ensure they are not adversely affected by pharmacy dispute. The national network for ageing and older people has warned older people who are on regular medication to take steps, as a matter of priority, to ensure they are not adversely affected by the pharmacists’ dispute by some pharmacists.

Age Action is advising older people to contact their existing pharmacist as a matter of priority this week to see if they are withdrawing from these schemes.  If they are, the older person should ask for any prescriptions they are holding for them and their medication records. They should check the next most suitable pharmacy which is remaining in the community drugs schemes (see above), and go to their participating pharmacy of choice and fill their prescription.

Age Action has also urged the HSE to ensure that its contingency plans prioritise older people who are house-bound and/or live in remote rural areas without public transport. It stressed that it regrets that sick, older people have been caught up in this dispute, and has also urged both sides to recommence talks so that a solution can be found.

[Posted: Tue 28/07/2009]