Independent TD Carol Nolan says that community pharmacists across her constituency have indicted there is a strong likelihood they will be forced to operate with reduced opening hours and reduced weekend cover.
This, they say, is if the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, does not take immediate steps to restore pay and prescribing rates that have been frozen for the last number of years.
The Independent TD for Laois / Offaly was speaking after engaging with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) on the matter.
The IPU say since the introduction of FEMPI legislation in 2009, community pharmacy is the only healthcare sector who have had no pay restoration.
“In the last number of weeks I have been contacted by a significant number of community pharmacists from within Laois Offaly but also from rural pharmacists in a number of other counties,” Deputy Nolan said.
“Each and every one of them are expressing considerable alarm at the lack of engagement and the apparent indifference of minister Donnelly and the Department of Health concerning adequate reimbursement for the ever-increasing administrative burden and bureaucracy associated with the complex nature and operation of the community drug schemes.
“This is despite the fact that he has a legislative obligation to meet with the IPU to discuss issues around pay and reimbursement by the end of this month.
“As I understand it, the dispensing fee paid by the state to community pharmacists no longer even covers the cost of dispensing a medicine which is now €4.58; a significant increase on 2009 when the cost of dispensing a medicine was €3.73.
“If these issues are not resolved then the outcomes for rural communities in particular will be extremely challenging. We will almost certainly see longer journey times and less accessibility for patients.
“The IPU have clearly outlined to me that this will also mean increased pressure on other local healthcare services including GPs and hospitals and longer wait times for prescription medicines to be dispensed, or time waited to speak to a pharmacist on health-related issues.
“Minister Donnelly must engage immediate on these matters. Rural communities rely on the fantastic model of service provided by our community pharmacists.
“They do not deserve to be treated as shoddily as they have been to date by the Minister and the Department,” concluded Deputy Nolan.
SEE ALSO – No maps, no accommodation and no training – But two Laois men are bidding to raise money for charity
