Dispute worsens as majority of local pharmacists close

The vast majority of pharmacies in Athlone shut up shop yesterday (Tuesday) as the HSE imposed a reduction in payments to pharmacists for medicines under the State Drug Scheme. The State Drug Scheme includes patients on medical cards, the drugs payment scheme and those on longterm illness benefit. Some confusion remains regarding which pharmacies are continuing to dispense medication under the scheme since the reduction came into force on Saturday, August 1. Previously a number of pharmacies had withdrawn from the scheme although a total of 12 pharmacies in Athlone, two in Moate and one in Monksland remain on the HSE's list. Now, the dispute has worsened following the decision of the majority of pharmacies in Athlone to close for business yesterday. However, they did open for one hour from 5pm to 6pm to dispense medication and posted notices on their doors complete with contact numbers for patients needing medication in an emergency. Local IPU representative Michelle Concannon said she was not in a position to speak for other pharmacists in the town, but from her own point of view she said she had to close her pharmacy as the cuts being imposed were so severe. "It's devastating for me to have the door closed. I ask that Mary Harney and the HSE would sit down and talk," she said. She said it was an absolute disgrace that it had come to this and the cuts involved only 0.5% of the total HSE budget and said the Minister for Health and the HSE needed to talk to the IPU. She said remaining open was very much an individual decision for each pharmacist and she hoped to be back looking after her customers again soon. She added that she would review the decision on a daily basis and said it would be difficult for smaller pharmacies to remain open. Ms Concannon also criticised the HSE list which she said was full of inaccuracies and contained the names of pharmacists who were no longer participating in the scheme. The HSE has said there are now 1,100 pharmacies nationwide continuing to dispense medication under the schemes. "Reports from every HSE base around the country indicate that there is no significant extra burden being placed on participating pharmacies due to the withdrawal of 500 pharmacies from the State Drug Schemes. The HSE's alternative dispensing facilities are also fully operational today and in compliance with all regulations," the HSE said in a statement. When contacted for comment yesterday afternoon a HSE spokeswoman said if the HSE had not received a valid termination notice from pharmacies and they were not dispensing medication they were in breach of their contract. The spokeswoman said 30 days notice of termination was required and said those on the list who were not dispensing medication were in breach of their agreeement. She added that the most up to date information that the HSE had yesterday afternoon was that We Care Pharmacy, Boots and the two pharmacies in Moate were continuing to dispense medication.