James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, to ask the Minister for Health and Children, notwithstanding the need to ensure value for money, given the reported intention of thousands of pharmacists to withdraw from contracts with the Health Service Executive, which will affect medical card patients and many others using the drug payments scheme, how her Department and the Health Service Executive plan to ensure the continued supply of medication to patients; and if she can explain why she has not accepted the recommendations of the independent body appointed by her Department to examine the pharmacy sector, which recommended that any changes to terms and conditions should be brought in on a phased basis, in direct contrast to what the Health Service Executive and her Department are proposing which appears to involve an immediate reduction in gross margin to pharmacists of approximately 34%.

See this speech in context