Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2008
385 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding pharmacy fees and services; her views on the reply to a question (details supplied) put to the European Commission on the issue of competition law and the right of the Irish Pharmacy Union to negotiate on behalf of its members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29311/08]
View answer400 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [29443/08]
View answer453 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding issues relating to the Irish Pharmaceutical Union raised earlier in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29928/08]
View answer481 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children when she will publish the findings of the Independent Pricing Body in respect of pharmacists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30175/08]
View answer554 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the meetings she has held with the pharmacy sector, particularly following the recent High Court decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30709/08]
View answer555 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children is she plans to hold a meeting with the pharmacy sector to negotiate a new contract following the recent High Court ruling. [30711/08]
View answer563 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of the negotiations between the Irish Pharmaceutical Union and the Health Service Executive regarding pharmacist contracts; the progress that has been made towards reaching an agreement; if she will publish the report compiled by the independent body chaired by Sean Dorgan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30785/08]
View answer651 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will reimburse payments to pharmacists from March 2009 onwards following the High Court ruling that the Health Service Executive were in breach of the pharmacy contract; the cost to the Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30710/08]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 385, 400, 453, 481, 554, 555, 563 and 651 together.
My Department is considering the legal, financial and service implications of the recent High Court judgement for the payments made to community pharmacists, as well as its potential wider implications in respect of other self-employed health professionals. My understanding is the judgement confirmed that I have the power to alter the payments made under the 1996 Community Pharmacy Contract after consultation with the Irish Pharmacy Union.
The report of the Independent Body on Pharmacy Contract Pricing dealt with the pricing of an interim contract which had been offered to community pharmacists following the reduction in the wholesale margin. It was published on my Department's website last July.
I have had various meetings with the pharmacy sector, including the IPU, but I have not met the IPU since the High Court judgement. I will be decide how best to proceed having considered the legal and other advice available to me. However, I remain of the view that the costs of pharmacy services under the GMS and community drugs schemes are not sustainable, a view that is reinforced by the current budgetary challenges.
