Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Independent)

I have a difficulty with the statement made by the HSE in the joint committee and repeated by the Minister today that the contract does not change if pharmacists do not avail of the interim contract on 1 March. Regardless of whether that is technically true, this statement gives the wrong impression because remuneration to pharmacists will be reduced by 8%, which is the reduction in the wholesale discount. Fridge items, which constitute 10% of medicines dispensed, are not subject to a wholesale discount. Does the Minister realise that many pharmacists are able to avail of the discount as a result of efficiencies they have introduced in their practices, such as paying their bills before being remunerated by the HSE? Has she considered the savings that could be achieved under the high-tech scheme? I believe as much as €15 million could be saved from the scheme's overall cost of €260 million. While I acknowledge that the Minister is seeking savings of €100 million, must all these savings be made through a renegotiation of the pharmacy contract?

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