Pharmacists have expressed their opposition to a proposal in the Brennan report to introduce a single flat-fee for dispensation of all drugs under public funding schemes.
Claiming current payment rates were already inadequate, the Irish Pharmaceutical Union said the proposal, if introduced, could lead to the collapse of both the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme and Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), as well as undermining the well-being of patients and the viability of many pharmacies. IPU vice president Mr Karl Hilton said, "under no circumstances will my members accept a flat fee scheme to replace the current system.
"We do, however, recognise the need for Government to ensure that they get value for money and we are prepared to sit down with them to explore this issue."
As part of any such negotiations, "we will also be seeking a realistic payment for dispensing and counselling patients under the GMS scheme."
He said current GMS dispensing fee of €2.83 per item was inadequate given rising costs in the economy.
Under the DPS, which applies to non-medical card holders, pharmacists receive a dispensing fee of €2.49 per item and charge an additional 33 per cent margin on the price of medicines dispensed, said Mr Hilton.
"Pharmacists throughout the country are demanding realistic payment for delivering services to medical card holders," he said.
