A Westmeath pharmacist has warned that up to 5,000 pharmacy jobs could be lost thanks to the decision of the Minister for Health to cut payments to pharmacists for providing medicines and advice to patients on the community drugs schemes by 36 per cent.
Mullingar pharmacist and president of the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU ), Liz Hoctor, said yesterday’s announcement will seriously damage front line health services.
“These cuts amount to a 36 per cent reduction in the current level of payments to pharmacists. These massive cuts are utterly disproportionate and totally unsustainable. They compromise patient services, and up to 5,000 jobs in pharmacies could be lost as a direct result of this Government decision,” said Ms Hoctor.
“Although pharmacists are not responsible for rising health costs and have always provided value for money, we had indicated to Government that we were willing to accept a cut equivalent to 8 per cent of our fees in the national interest. This was in line with cuts being proposed in other parts of the health service.”
Ms Hoctor continued: “This Minister seems determined to destroy one of the few parts of the health service that has managed to continue to deliver effective patient care in an otherwise very dysfunctional health service. The irrational nature of this decision again highlights the lack of leadership and vision in either the Department of Health and Children or the Health Service Executive and their scant regard for patient services.”
According to Ms Hoctor, the IPU will be communicating with its members on the matter and will also be seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister for Health.
