Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a meeting will be held between the Health Service Executive and the pharmacists on the issue of the pharmacy contract and the price paid to pharmacists for medicines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28881/07]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she is engaging in discussions with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union regarding the issue of contracts between pharmacists and the Health Service Executive; if discussions are ongoing; if she is confident that prescription drugs will be available to people on the medical card scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28517/07]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has a plan in place for the forthcoming potential strike by pharmacists; if she has been in talks with the IPU on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28630/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 137, 191 and 198 together.

My Department understands that the Health Service Executive (HSE) has not received formal notification from any community pharmacist regarding cessation of services under the GMS and community drugs schemes. I have previously outlined in detail to the Oireachtas the legal provisions under competition law which prevent the HSE from negotiating with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) on fees, prices or margins for their members. When it became clear that the HSE could not negotiate with pharmacists or wholesalers on fees or margins, a detailed, fair and transparent consultation process, including independent economic analysis and public consultation, was carried out to inform the final determination of the new reimbursement pricing arrangements for drugs and medicines under the GMS and community drugs schemes. These new arrangements were announced by the HSE on 17th September 2007.

To address concerns expressed by the IPU, on behalf of community pharmacists, about the implications of the legal advice on competition law on their right to negotiate fees through the Union, a process of dialogue was established, chaired by Bill Shipsey SC, to explore ways in which concerns raised by the IPU about the implications of this legal advice might be addressed. Despite suspension of this process during the recent withdrawal by individual pharmacists of methadone services, there has recently been renewed engagement between the Irish Pharmaceutical Union and the HSE under the auspices of Mr. Shipsey.

In regard to the new reimbursement prices, the main wholesaler companies have confirmed to the HSE that they will charge community pharmacists the same price for these drugs and medicines as pharmacists will be reimbursed by the HSE for these products. Furthermore, there are no changes planned by the HSE to the operation of the GMS medical card and community drugs schemes, and all patients continue to receive their entitlements in the normal way.