THE TWO sides in the pharmacy dispute have agreed to hold talks though the basis for them has yet to be agreed and there is no indication of when they might take place.
Minister for Health Mary Harney and the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) declared their willingness at the weekend to enter discussions on the role of the pharmacy sector in the health service. However, the IPU expressed surprise at what it termed a precondition by Ms Harney that discussions could take place only when the pharmacies with a HSE contract were providing the services required under that contract.
Further disruption is likely in the coming days, with more than 500 pharmacies closed, many others operating only partially and heavy demand expected at the nine “contingency pharmacies” set up by the HSE.
The IPU is protesting the Government’s decision to cut fees in order to save an annual €133 million in drugs costs. Both the IPU and the Minister will be watching closely today’s High Court hearing involving the HSE and two chains of pharmacies which were closed during the dispute.
On Friday, the court granted the HSE an interim injunction against 35 pharmacies owned by the Hickeys and Bradleys chains requiring them to provide medicines under the terms of community drugs schemes.
The outlets opened as instructed by the court on Friday but their owners are set to challenge the ruling at today’s full hearing. The chains are expected to argue they have legally resigned from the schemes. If the HSE wins the case, it is expected to threaten similar legal action against other pharmacies. Victory for the pharmacies would strengthen the union’s hand and increase the likelihood of more closures.
Speaking after a meeting of its executive on Saturday, IPU president Liz Hoctor said a resumption of normal pharmacy services was not likely for now. She said the union would make itself available for a meeting with Ms Harney.
Ms Harney responded by welcoming the move by the union to accept her offer to discuss the future of the pharmacy sector. Last week, she said such discussions would not relate to pricing issues but yesterday a union source claimed any talks would “inevitably” include discussion of the current crisis.
The HSE said it would await the outcome of today’s court case before deciding whether to seek further injunctions. A spokeswoman said the contingency pharmacies had been restocked and all would be open for business today, from 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm.
A union source claimed attitudes were hardening with more pharmacists withdrawing their services. “There is no sense that resolve is weakening,” the source said. However, department sources claimed a number of pharmacies which were closed last week would be opening today.
