Only one Mullingar pharmacy opts out of HSE scheme

Only one pharmacy in Mullingar has officially so far told the HSE that it will stop dispensing in protest over the 34 per cent cuts in pharmaceutical prices paid by government for those in receipt of social assistance.The HSE said this morning that the list of pharmacies who would continue to dispense to those holding medical cards and long term illness books was only correct until the end of July and was liable to change possibly "from week to week".Speaking on behalf of the health service, public relations officer Arlene Crene said this morning (Tuesday) that concerned members of the public should check the current state directly with their pharmacist."The situation is that we wrote to 16,000 pharmacies across the country and asked for written notice of intention to terminate dispensing. The list that we have now published is accurate as of this Friday but it could change if more pharmacists decide to join the protest," said Ms Crene."Our advice is that people should go directly to their pharmacist and ask what the situation is and if they can't get their medication they should move on to the next one."Their is no contingency plan place as yet in the eventuality that all pharmacies in the area should stop dispensing. But if you look at what has happened in the West, dispensing clinics have been set up at local health care centres. But that is the worst case scenario.Owner of Whelehan's pharmacy, Eamonn Brady said this morning that it was a "wait and see" situation. Mr Brady has decided that he will continue to dispense for the moment due to concern about patient care but also said that he may be forced to stop due to the seriousrepercussions that the cuts would have for his business."We are all willing to accept cuts as everyone else has," said Mr Brady. "But these cuts are so severe that they could lead to a total loss of our livelihoods. I can't say what will happen one way or the other but I am obviously very concerned for my business."Niall Weir, who owns Weir's pharmacy said that his colleagues would realise the repercussions of the cuts when their outgoings over took their incomes."We'll soon see what happens when the books don't balance," he said. "I can't understand why the minister won't sit down and talk to us and explain the position. This is abhorrent that these type of emergency powers can be used. It is not democratic and it doesn't make sense that some sectors take an 8 per cent cut while we take 34 per cent."