Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Independent)

I represent a rural constituency, which has many rural pharmacists and a distribution network for United Drug employing 100 people. This is, therefore, a major issue for my constituents. I commend and support the Minister in her efforts to try to reduce the price of drugs. My difficulty, however, is the manner in which the matter has been dealt with, particularly by the Health Service Executive. Its approach to negotiating with pharmacists has been disappointing. I accept the Minister's point on the restrictions arising from the Competition Act. She has established an independent body which will report to her and has indicated she will make its proposals retrospective to 1 March. In that case, why does she not defer the decision regarding the 1 March date until such time as the independent body issues its report?

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