Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if pharmacists will be reimbursed for the full cost of drugs purchased prior to 1 February 2010 when the new lower rates were introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6880/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The Minister for Finance announced in the Budget in early December last that there would be savings in the price of drugs and medicines. I and my officials also discussed the matter with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) and the IPU were fully aware of the impending price cuts. In fact, the price cuts were delayed from 1 January until 1 February to allow, at the request of the IPU, pharmacists to apply stock control measures in advance of impending cuts. I have been advised by the manufacturers and wholesalers that the community pharmacy sector had run down stocks in advance of price cuts. As all parties have been previously advised, pharmacists will be reimbursed by the Health Service Executive from 1 February using the new rates.