"Minister should intervene directly in pharmacy dispute" - Ó Caoláin
Commenting on the ongoing dispute
between the Health Service Executive and the Irish Pharmaceutical Union
(IPU) regarding the pricing of medicines, Sinn Féin Health & Children
spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has called for the Minister
for Health and Children Mary Harney to intervene directly. He stated:
“The
Government and the HSE have known for years that the system of pricing
medicines would have to be revised. Yet they have mishandled the situation
and allowed a confrontation to develop. The Government tells us that because
of a legal ruling the HSE is unable to negotiate directly with the IPU on
these matters as it would be a breach of the Competition Act. The right of
the IPU to represent their members is clearly being denied yet the
Government has failed to explain how it is going to address this anomaly.
For example will they bring in amending legislation? They have not told us.
“I
have repeatedly raised this issue in the Dáil and urged the Minister to
show the sense of urgency required. She has failed to so.
“It
is ludicrous that talks between the HSE and the IPU are having to be conducted
through an intermediary, Mr. Bill Shipsey, and through solicitors
representing both parties. The Minister needs to intervene directly and find
a formula to get all aides around the table for direct talks.
“This
dispute has raised the prospect of people with medical cards being denied
their medication at their community pharmacy if the pharmacists withdraw
from the scheme. For many pharmacists the proposed changes to the
pricing structure raise the prospect of a sharp drop in income, especially
for those heavily dependent on the medical card scheme.
“Published
on 13 November, a report commissioned by the Health Service Executive itself
recommends that any changes to the wholesaler margin for medicines and the
impact of these changes should be evaluated in conjunction with key
stakeholders in advance of being implemented. The HSE has ignored this
recommendation.
“The Minister and the HSE need to
get their act together and take control of the situation with the twin aims
of ensuring fairness for all involved in the GMS scheme and working to
reduce the cost of medicines for the health services and consumers
alike.”ENDS