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IPU ends pharmacy action
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has urged pharmacist members to resume normal services immediately in the interests of patient safety.
The move signals the end for the time being of the disruption in the prescribing of drugs under state schemes.
Hundreds of pharmacists withdrew from dispensing under state schemes 11 days ago in protest over major fee cuts imposed by Health Minister Mary Harney. However, a majority of pharmacists did not take part in the withdrawal.
The IPU said it reached the decision in order to prevent a recurrence of the "chaotic scenes of yesterday and last week"' and in light of recent commitments made by Health Minister Mary Harney.
It has called an emergency meeting of members to take place in Dublin this evening in order to advise them of the reasons for making the decision.
Liz Hoctor, President of the Union, said it is very clear that some of the issues have not been resolved and she warned that further disruption to services could take place if they are not.
The HSE earlier today said it had received requests from over 50 pharmacies which had terminated their community pharmacy contractor agreements with the HSE, to recommence providing services under the state schemes.
The HSE added that reports from across the country indicate that people are having less difficulty accessing their medications this week.
It said its dispensing facilities on the western seaboard were busy but managing well.
The HSE's statement indicated that support for the state schemes boycott might be waning.
There has still been no confirmation on when and under what conditions talks will take place between the IPU and Health Minister Mary Harney on the fees dispute.
The Minister has held firm to her line during the dispute that there could be no direct negotiations on fees or no mediation on the fees cut.
It has been indicated, however, that talks could take place on the future role of pharmacists.
[Posted: Tue 11/08/2009]
