GALWAY PHARMACISTS TO BRIEF TDS ON HSE CUTS

Date Published: 22-Oct-2007

Pharmacists in Galway are holding urgent talks with local TD's tonight and tomorrow over the HSE's decision to slash payments for the medical card scheme. Local members of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union fear they'll have to refuse medical card prescriptions from 1st December.The HSE is reducing payments to pharmacists for medicines and pharmaceutical wholesalers are refusing to lower their prices. Local pharmacists say the resulting loss could put them out of business.Eight pharmacists are meeting with Labour Deputy Michael D Higgins in Salthill tonight. Up to 12 more pharmacists are meeting with deputies Padraic McCormack, Noel Grealish and Minister Eamon O'Cuiv in a series of meetings in Galway tomorrow.