Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 218: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of pharmacists that have withdrawn from the community drugs scheme; the alternative mechanisms her Department or the Health Service Executive have put in place to overcome such problems; the cost to her Department or the HSE of arranging such mechanisms; the number of patients or customers that the new arrangements have to deal with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20695/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 222: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position of the negotiations between the pharmacists and the Health Service Executive; if a deadline has been set in relation to the conclusion of the negotiations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20703/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 222 together.

Firstly, I would point out that no community pharmacist has withdrawn from the community drugs schemes at this point, and all patients continue to receive their entitlements in the normal way. An agenda has been agreed for detailed discussions on a number of outstanding issues between the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) and the Health Service Executive (HSE). These discussions commenced in the week beginning 5 May 2008, and are ongoing. With goodwill on all sides I am hopeful that these discussions can bring about an agreed resolution on these issues in the coming weeks.

Following the withdrawal of injunction applications by the HSE against individual pharmacists for threatened breach of contract, both sides agreed that there will be no disruption of pharmacy services pending the completion of the work of the Independent Pricing Body — chaired by Mr. Sean Dorgan. In addition, a process of mediation requested by the High (Commercial) Court is due to begin on 5 June next under the chairmanship of Mr. Eoin McCullough S.C.