Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I am disappointed that a significant number of pharmacists have chosen to discontinue providing methadone services to patients. This is the second time in recent years that pharmacists have targeted the methadone scheme in response to unrelated issues. It is unfortunate that community pharmacists have once again chosen to target some of our most vulnerable patients — recovering drug users who are stable enough to be treated in the community setting — in this way.

I understand that the Competition Authority is examining whether the action of pharmacists in withdrawing from dispensing methadone to patients may be in breach of competition law. Currently, the pharmacists' action is mainly in the Dublin area with threatened escalation countrywide later. As of Monday, 15 October, some 140 pharmacists in the Dublin area have withdrawn from the methadone protocol scheme. This action affects approximately 3,000 patients.

There is a significant clinical risk of overdose to patients who revert from a methadone maintenance programme to opiate use. In these circumstances, the HSE has developed a contingency plan to ensure continuity of service and to minimise any hardship to patients. Since last Monday, the HSE has been implementing that plan. The HSE has made alternative arrangements for the emergency dispensing of methadone to the patients involved in 13 centres. The HSE's drug helpline is available on a seven day a week basis to provide information to clients in relation to the contingency arrangements. The HSE has indicated that to date the contingency plan is operating satisfactorily. The situation in the rest of the country is being monitored closely and arrangements are ready to be implemented in the event of an escalation of the action nationwide.

I acknowledge the work the HSE is doing to ensure continuity of care to patients in these very challenging circumstances. I also appeal to the pharmacists who have withdrawn their service to reconsider their action in the light of their professional and ethical obligations.

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