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Pharmacies claim services 'at risk' E-mail
Written by Staff Reporter   
Wednesday, 06 February 2008
Limerick pharmacists have launched a campaign to inform patients that pharmacy services are at risk, particularly those based in rural and disadvantaged areas, because of new HSE proposals due to come into effect on March 1st.

According to the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU), the HSE is seeking to reduce the payments it makes to pharmacists on community drugs schemes by 8% and members fear that this reduction could make it “financially unviable for many pharmacists to continue to participate in the Medical Card Scheme”.

However, a HSE spokesman said that the moves are trying to reduce prices.

“The HSE’s Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit has stated many times that the main purpose of these new arrangements is to reduce the artificially high cost of drugs to Irish patients and the state—which is created by the current system.”

Local pharmacist and former IPU president, Marie Hogan of Hogan’s Pharmacy on William Street said that pharmacists “are very worried” about the proposals’ impact.

“The core of our business is the provision of medicines and advice on health issues. The HSE cannot expect us to operate our businesses at a loss,” she said.


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