Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

The Minister referred to €100 million being a large amount of money. That is much less than what has been wasted on PPARS or the €420 million on e-Government. Government is about choices. The Minister spoke about a fair deal for patients. This new scheme for pharmacies is not a fair deal for patients.

In 1970, under the Health Act, pharmacists took over the dispensing of community drugs from dispensary doctors. The €100 million spent on the community pharmacy sector is good value for money. Why has the Minister not examined generic products to reduce the cost instead of a rough blunt instrument? The wholesalers will take no reduction and will be paid the exact same price. This new scheme for the owner-managed pharmacies, which comprise the majority, will make it impossible for them. The Minister cannot expect the pharmacists to take up the interim contract because they will lose the mark-up on DPS items.

Deputy Calleary made the point that Sean Dorgan is setting up an independent body. He is a great man. However, his terms of reference are confining. He cannot consider the effect on community pharmacies. He is confined to considering the dispensing fee. His hands are tied. Therefore, patients are suffering. The Minister for Health and Children and her accomplices in the HSE have put PR and spin ahead of patient care. It is nothing more and nothing less. They can go around it any way they want but that is what they have done. We are getting circulars daily from the HSE.

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