Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

The age profile of the pharmacists at the meetings we attended was surprising. They are not elderly pharmacists working into their 80s but a second generation of young pharmacists who have taken on massive mortgages to finance their entry into this business. Have any studies been conducted on the age profile of pharmacists? These people have been given loans on the basis of projected income from their pharmacy businesses. What is to become of them?

It is not just about the General Medical Services scheme and medical cards, but about providing a service in the community. The number of people with medical cards is being cut back each year. Where are people to get their medication if pharmacies close down? The Minister is correct that she is not a fool but we are not fools either. If €100 million is taken out of the service, somebody will suffer. Who are they and what is their age profile?

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