Menu
22/07/2009
NI Pharmacies May Dispense Across Border
The Irish Republic's Health Service Executive (HSE) has invited pharmacies in Northern Ireland to consider dispensing medicines to its own medical card patients in border counties.
The move is being planned from the beginning of next month, with an invitation issued through newspaper advertisements.
It comes as the HSE attempts to put in place arrangements to ensure thousands of patients are still able to have their prescriptions filled next month when hundreds of pharmacies withdraw from dispensing drugs under a host of State schemes.
Up to 900 pharmacies have already given the HSE notice of their intention to withdraw from providing these services from August 1st as a result of a Government decision to cut their fees.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said this will result in an average loss in income for pharmacists of 34% and the closure of some pharmacies with the possible loss of up to 5,000 jobs.
However, the HSE is putting in place alternative arrangements, effectively to 'face down' the pharmacists and to ensure everyone who requires medicines under the State drugs schemes can continue to access them, though it acknowledged some people may have to travel further for their medicines as a result of the dispute.
The cross-border initiative is one option being planned.
(BMcC/JM)
The move is being planned from the beginning of next month, with an invitation issued through newspaper advertisements.
It comes as the HSE attempts to put in place arrangements to ensure thousands of patients are still able to have their prescriptions filled next month when hundreds of pharmacies withdraw from dispensing drugs under a host of State schemes.
Up to 900 pharmacies have already given the HSE notice of their intention to withdraw from providing these services from August 1st as a result of a Government decision to cut their fees.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said this will result in an average loss in income for pharmacists of 34% and the closure of some pharmacies with the possible loss of up to 5,000 jobs.
However, the HSE is putting in place alternative arrangements, effectively to 'face down' the pharmacists and to ensure everyone who requires medicines under the State drugs schemes can continue to access them, though it acknowledged some people may have to travel further for their medicines as a result of the dispute.
The cross-border initiative is one option being planned.
(BMcC/JM)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 March 2024
Health And Social Care Easter Arrangements Outlined
The Department of Health has announced arrangements for health and social care services over the Easter holiday period, encouraging everyone to look after themselves, both physically and mentally.
Health And Social Care Easter Arrangements Outlined
The Department of Health has announced arrangements for health and social care services over the Easter holiday period, encouraging everyone to look after themselves, both physically and mentally.
13 March 2024
Translink Workers Reject Pay Offer
Translink NI workers have rejected a pay offer from the public transport company. Unite, GMB and SIPTU confirmed that their members has "decisively voted to reject as inadequate" a pay offer made by Translink management. Workers were offered a 5% pay increase and a non-consolidated one-off payment of £1,500 for the 2023-2024 financial year.
Translink Workers Reject Pay Offer
Translink NI workers have rejected a pay offer from the public transport company. Unite, GMB and SIPTU confirmed that their members has "decisively voted to reject as inadequate" a pay offer made by Translink management. Workers were offered a 5% pay increase and a non-consolidated one-off payment of £1,500 for the 2023-2024 financial year.
28 February 2008
Pharmacists Sick Of Government Health Plan
Pharmacists have told the Irish Government they will halt the Departments's sponsored health schemes if controversial HSE plans go ahead.
Pharmacists Sick Of Government Health Plan
Pharmacists have told the Irish Government they will halt the Departments's sponsored health schemes if controversial HSE plans go ahead.
20 July 2016
IPU Welcomes Announcement To Reduce Price Of Medicines
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has welcomed the agreement between IPHA and the Government to reduce the price of medicines. However, the IPU expressed concern at the short lead-in time, which will mean that pharmacists with existing stocks will be financially hit.
IPU Welcomes Announcement To Reduce Price Of Medicines
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has welcomed the agreement between IPHA and the Government to reduce the price of medicines. However, the IPU expressed concern at the short lead-in time, which will mean that pharmacists with existing stocks will be financially hit.
18 June 2012
IPHA Say HSE Not Funding New Medicines
The organisation representing the pharmaceutical industry has claimed that patients are not getting access to new medicines. The Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) also claims that the HSE is not funding medicines that have been independently deemed as cost-effective.
IPHA Say HSE Not Funding New Medicines
The organisation representing the pharmaceutical industry has claimed that patients are not getting access to new medicines. The Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) also claims that the HSE is not funding medicines that have been independently deemed as cost-effective.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry with sunny spells on Friday, cloudier at times in the south. The chance of the odd afternoon shower developing in the south and east. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:Any afternoon showers soon dying out to leave a dry evening with clear spells at first, but coastal low cloud, mist or fog then spreads in from the northwest. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
