James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 385: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding pharmacy fees and services; her views on the reply to a question (details supplied) put to the European Commission on the issue of competition law and the right of the Irish Pharmacy Union to negotiate on behalf of its members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29311/08]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [29443/08]

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 453: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding issues relating to the Irish Pharmaceutical Union raised earlier in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29928/08]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she will publish the findings of the Independent Pricing Body in respect of pharmacists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30175/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 554: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the meetings she has held with the pharmacy sector, particularly following the recent High Court decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30709/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 555: To ask the Minister for Health and Children is she plans to hold a meeting with the pharmacy sector to negotiate a new contract following the recent High Court ruling. [30711/08]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 563: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the status of the negotiations between the Irish Pharmaceutical Union and the Health Service Executive regarding pharmacist contracts; the progress that has been made towards reaching an agreement; if she will publish the report compiled by the independent body chaired by Sean Dorgan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30785/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 651: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will reimburse payments to pharmacists from March 2009 onwards following the High Court ruling that the Health Service Executive were in breach of the pharmacy contract; the cost to the Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30710/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 385, 400, 453, 481, 554, 555, 563 and 651 together.

My Department is considering the legal, financial and service implications of the recent High Court judgement for the payments made to community pharmacists, as well as its potential wider implications in respect of other self-employed health professionals. My understanding is the judgement confirmed that I have the power to alter the payments made under the 1996 Community Pharmacy Contract after consultation with the Irish Pharmacy Union.

The report of the Independent Body on Pharmacy Contract Pricing dealt with the pricing of an interim contract which had been offered to community pharmacists following the reduction in the wholesale margin. It was published on my Department's website last July.

I have had various meetings with the pharmacy sector, including the IPU, but I have not met the IPU since the High Court judgement. I will be decide how best to proceed having considered the legal and other advice available to me. However, I remain of the view that the costs of pharmacy services under the GMS and community drugs schemes are not sustainable, a view that is reinforced by the current budgetary challenges.