Menu
22/07/2008
Pharmacists Begin Legal Challenge With HSE
Legal proceedings brought by pharmacists against the HSE's decision to unilaterally cut the price for its wholesale medicines is due to get underway on Tuesday.
The HSE imposed an 8% reduction in the price it pays pharmacists for medicine in an effort to save €100m.
More than 800 pharmacists threatened industrial action and a refusal to dispense medicine under the medical card and community drugs schemes.
However, they agreed to continue operating the schemes after the HSE removed some categories of drugs from the price cuts and promised to address a number of other long-standing issues.
Despite the deal, individual pharmacists are still pressing ahead with legal challenges to the price cuts.
Pharmacists have on Tuesday also demanded the immediate publication of the Pharmacy Pricing Body Report on payments for pharmacists which was completed in June and which has been with the Minister for Health and Children since then.
Liz Hoctor, the President of the Irish Pharmacy Union said that the delay in the publication of the Report was further fuelling the crisis in the pharmacy sector.
"We are calling on the Minister to publish the report as a matter of urgency and agree to implement its recommendations so our members can see whether it has any potential to assist pharmacists in the short term who are struggling financially as a consequence of the HSE's … decision to reduce their payments by 30%.
"In the absence of this Report, the sense of crisis within the Pharmacy sector is growing daily," she said.
The Irish Pharmacy Union claims the HSE move could put more than 300 pharmacies out of business, with the loss of more than 4,500 jobs.
(DW)
The HSE imposed an 8% reduction in the price it pays pharmacists for medicine in an effort to save €100m.
More than 800 pharmacists threatened industrial action and a refusal to dispense medicine under the medical card and community drugs schemes.
However, they agreed to continue operating the schemes after the HSE removed some categories of drugs from the price cuts and promised to address a number of other long-standing issues.
Despite the deal, individual pharmacists are still pressing ahead with legal challenges to the price cuts.
Pharmacists have on Tuesday also demanded the immediate publication of the Pharmacy Pricing Body Report on payments for pharmacists which was completed in June and which has been with the Minister for Health and Children since then.
Liz Hoctor, the President of the Irish Pharmacy Union said that the delay in the publication of the Report was further fuelling the crisis in the pharmacy sector.
"We are calling on the Minister to publish the report as a matter of urgency and agree to implement its recommendations so our members can see whether it has any potential to assist pharmacists in the short term who are struggling financially as a consequence of the HSE's … decision to reduce their payments by 30%.
"In the absence of this Report, the sense of crisis within the Pharmacy sector is growing daily," she said.
The Irish Pharmacy Union claims the HSE move could put more than 300 pharmacies out of business, with the loss of more than 4,500 jobs.
(DW)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 February 2011
Morning After Pill Decision Welcomed
A pharmacists union has welcomed the Irish Medicines Board decision to legalise the sale of a morning after pill without prescription. The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) today said the decision by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) to allow the sale of the pill in pharmacists without a prescription was a "landmark decision for women".
Morning After Pill Decision Welcomed
A pharmacists union has welcomed the Irish Medicines Board decision to legalise the sale of a morning after pill without prescription. The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) today said the decision by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) to allow the sale of the pill in pharmacists without a prescription was a "landmark decision for women".
20 July 2016
IPU Welcomes Announcement To Reduce Price Of Medicines
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has welcomed the agreement between IPHA and the Government to reduce the price of medicines. However, the IPU expressed concern at the short lead-in time, which will mean that pharmacists with existing stocks will be financially hit.
IPU Welcomes Announcement To Reduce Price Of Medicines
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has welcomed the agreement between IPHA and the Government to reduce the price of medicines. However, the IPU expressed concern at the short lead-in time, which will mean that pharmacists with existing stocks will be financially hit.
12 November 2014
Pharmacy Union Recommends Minor Ailments Scheme
New rules could lead to pharmacists being allowed to prescribe medication to medical-card holders, without them having to visit a GP. Currently medical-card holders must see a GP in order to get a prescription but also for common complaints such as headaches. This also extends to when they need non-prescription medication.
Pharmacy Union Recommends Minor Ailments Scheme
New rules could lead to pharmacists being allowed to prescribe medication to medical-card holders, without them having to visit a GP. Currently medical-card holders must see a GP in order to get a prescription but also for common complaints such as headaches. This also extends to when they need non-prescription medication.
02 August 2012
Recession Increases Reliance On Community Pharmacists
A survey carried out on behalf of the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) shows that levels of public reliance on community pharmacists for healthcare services have grown significantly since the start of the Irish economic recession.
Recession Increases Reliance On Community Pharmacists
A survey carried out on behalf of the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) shows that levels of public reliance on community pharmacists for healthcare services have grown significantly since the start of the Irish economic recession.
19 June 2009
Pharmacists' Fees Reduced
The Government will cut up to €133 million in payments to pharmacists over next year. Pharmacists' income would fall back to the levels paid in 2006, according to the Minister of Health, Mary Harney.
Pharmacists' Fees Reduced
The Government will cut up to €133 million in payments to pharmacists over next year. Pharmacists' income would fall back to the levels paid in 2006, according to the Minister of Health, Mary Harney.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
