IRISH pharmacists
stopped dispensing methadone yesterday as their row
intensifed with the HSE over its plan to cut the
wholesale price of medicine.
The HSE says the new arrangements will slash an
estimated €100m off the State's drugs bill next
year, but pharmacists say it will result in them
having to dispense medicine to public patients at a
loss and put their businesses at risk.
Donegal Senator Pearse Doherty said the current
stalemate was putting lives and livelihoods at risk.
"The Health Service Executive cannot underestimate
the fall out that will emerge from their decision to
pull out of the Shipsey negotiations process.
"Methadone patients remain vulnerable to relapses
therefore placing them in clinics for periods of
time with addicts who may be predatory or in the
early stages of their own treatment, will in many
cases be detrimental," he said.
He said the HSE needed to commit to a continuous
process with the IPU that would address the hardship
on pharmacies whose clients' base is heavily reliant
on the medical card scheme.
"Pharmacies also intend withdrawing the Drug Payment
Scheme on November 1st and from the medical card
scheme on December 1st," said Senator Doherty.
"Withdrawing from the medical ard scheme will cause
untold hardship to hundreds of thousands of low
income earners who will simply not be able to afford
their, or indeed their children's medication.
"By not administering the Drug Payment Scheme
patients will have to pay the full private cost of
their medication and seek a refund from the HSE
under the Prompt Payments Act.
"It is unacceptable that Health Minister Mary Harney
has let the situation deteriorate to the current
crisis. Leadership, compassion and constructive
dialogue are now needed." |
