asked the Minister for Health the steps he proposes to take to ensure a continuity of the supply of free drugs and medicines to medical card holders in the light of the proposed withdrawal of pharmacists from the GMS.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Drugs and Medicines.
57.
While the secretary-general of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union has been directed by its National Executive Committee to initiate procedures whereby pharmacists will cease to supply drugs and medicines under the general medical service, no date has yet been determined from which such action would begin. The Deputy will be aware that pharmacists are required to give three months' notice of their withdrawal from the scheme.
As I made clear in the statement I issued yesterday I am still hopeful that the union may agree to have this matter resolved by submitting it to arbitration and I am willing to arrange further meetings with the union should it appear that these would be of value. A matter which might again be clarified at such a meeting, since it appears from their Press statement to be still a source of concern to the union, is my decision not to make an offer in response to their claim which was for an overall increase from 20p to 78p. It does not seem to be appreciated by the union that where such a great gap exists between a claim and what may be offered, there is frequently no specific offer made and the matter is left for determination by an impartial body.
I have, as a matter of prudence, directed that preliminary consideration be given to alternative methods of providing drugs and medicines for eligible persons should the pharmacists ultimately decide to withdraw from the service but I am not in a position, at present, to give the Deputy details of my specific proposals in this regard.