Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the contingency plans in place for 1 May 2008 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14850/08]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details of the Health Service Executive's contingency plans to ensure patients receive access to medicines, particularly in rural areas, in the event of the withdrawal of services by pharmacists as they have indicated; the steps being taken to resolve this long running dispute; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14877/08]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of pharmacies who have indicated to her that they will be suspending their contracts with the Health Service Executive. [14884/08]

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that a significant number of pharmacists have terminated their contract with the Health Service Executive and that others have advised the HSE of their right to suspend their contract from 1 May 2008; her views on whether this will have a serious effect on the delivery of primary health care in communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14887/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 150, 152 and 154 together.

I have been informed by the HSE that it has, to date, received notification from 360 community pharmacy contractors indicating their intention to either cease providing services from 1st May 2008, or otherwise reserving their right to do so.

Community pharmacy contractors are required under the terms of their contract to give three months notice of their intention to withdraw. The HSE has written to each of the 360 contractors, seeking formal confirmation of their intentions and pointing out that 3 months notice of cessation of service is required. At this point in time, only two contractors have actually given formal notification of termination in accordance with the requirements in the contract.

The HSE has developed a national contingency planning framework which will inform and provide direction to local operational management for the development of local area — specific contingency plans. As service provision, geographical and demographic circumstances will vary from area to area, each local health area is developing its own area — specific contingency plan within the context of the overall national framework.

I believe that threats of withdrawal from the community pharmacy contract are unjustified and not in anyone's interest. There is no need to bring patients into a dispute between the pharmacists and the HSE. There can be no grounds for causing upset or anxiety about the supply of prescriptions to patients.