The Health Service Executive is setting up a number of pharmacies in a bid to fill the gap left by those who have withdrawn from the State Drugs Schemes.
It also said today it had invited expressions of interest from border county pharmacy contractors with the Health and Social Care Board of Northern Ireland to dispense medicines to HSE clients from August 1st.
Earlier this month hundreds of pharmacists began writing to the HSE to give it 30 days notice of their intention to stop dispensing drugs to medical card patients and those on other community drugs schemes from August 1st after plans to reduce fees paid to pharmacists under these schemes were announced.
The reduction in came into effect on July 1st.
The Government is implementing the cuts in a bid to save €55 million this year and €133 million in a full year. Pharmacists say this will result in an average loss in income of 34 per cent, and the closure of some pharmacies with the possible loss of up to 5,000 jobs.
It emerged earlier this week that a number of pharmacists are to commence legal proceedings against the decision to reduce their fees.
The HSE said today it was putting in place alternative arrangements to ensure continued access for those who require medicines under the State Drugs Schemes.
A number of HSE-operated pharmacies are being established under phase one of the HSE pharmacy contingency programme, with others established as further information on pharmacies withdrawing from the scheme becomes available.
The new locations are intended to be operational by August 1st, and arrangements are also being made to allow hospitals to dispense higher volumes of medicines.
“It will not be possible to replace every pharmacy which withdraws service on a like for like basis so patients and clients may have to travel further than normal to have their prescription filled. We would encourage family, friends and neighbours to assist vulnerable people who may have transport difficulties to secure their medication," said the HSE’s chief pharmacist Kate Mulvenna.
"Community pharmacists are an important part of our health services and we hope that local pharmacists will continue to provide these services."
The Irish Pharmacy Union said this evening it had "grave concerns" about the HSE's contingency plan.
A spokesman said phase one is "totally inadequate in terms of meeting the medicines needs of patients". He called for the immediate publication of phase two of the plan, which he said he hoped "would be more comprehensive".
The spokesman said the IPU wrote to the Minister for Health Mary Harney over three weeks ago seeking to resolve the matter. He said the Minister has yet to respond.
HSE operated pharmacies are being set up in the following locations:
- St Patrick’s Hospital, Summerhill, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim
- Aras Naomh Chaolain, Knock Road, Castlerea, Co Roscommon
- Donegal Community Hospital, Donegal Town, Co Donegal
- Dungloe Community Hospital, Dungloe, Co Donegal
- Carndonagh Community Hospital, Convent Road, Carndonagh, Co Donegal
- Falcarragh Community Hospital, Falcarragh, Co Donegal
- St Marys Hospital, Castlebar, Co Mayo
- Mercy Road, Ballina, Co Mayo
- Arus Deirbhle, Belmullet, Co Mayo
- Cherryfield House, Coolgrane, Killarney, Co Kerry
- Denny Street, Tralee, Co Kerry
- Listowel Community Hospital, Listowel, Co Kerry