Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

We discussed this issue yesterday morning and, as has been said, it was well ventilated for three days at the Joint Committee on Health and Children under the chairmanship of Deputy John Moloney. Today's statements will give an opportunity for the Minister for Health and Children to update the House and the public on the situation and to explain precisely what is envisaged. As a result of ongoing discussions, an independent process to deal with the issue of the prescription fee has been set up. It will examine how we can help smaller pharmacies, particularly those with a high dependence on medical card holders, to be better looked after financially than under the present arrangements. The wholesalers have agreed to this on the basis of a fair return for their product and on foot of an Indecon report that sets out the situation.

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