Déirdre de Búrca (Green Party)

Will the Minister of State clarify what contingency plans the Health Service Executive has in place should pharmacists withdraw from dispensing as part of the community drug scheme, as they have threatened to do from 1 May? I know this issue was raised with the Minister during the previous debate on patient safety, which was appropriate, and during her response the Minister made several references to her belief that it would be unethical and unprofessional of the pharmacists to withdraw from the dispensing of such services, especially given that a number of what can be considered vulnerable people avail of this service, including the elderly, people with disabilities, people with chronic health conditions and people who suffer from drug addiction. While I respect the Minister's belief that any threatened withdrawal from such a scheme would be unethical, it appears certain pharmacists are determined to proceed. There is much concern among members of the public that this will happen and that there are no contingency plans in place. I put down this Adjournment matter to establish what contingency plans the HSE has, or intends to, put in place so there will not be negative consequences for those to whom I referred who avail of the community drugs scheme and who would be in a very difficult predicament if left without this service.