The chairperson of the HSE West’s regional health forum has hit out at the local health authority accusing it of failing to put a contingency plan in place in Clifden to dispense medication under the State run Drug Scheme.
As the row over HSE payments between pharmacists and Health Minister Mary Harney escalates, Cllr Padraig Conneely said both pharmacies in Clifden have withdrawn from the State scheme.
“The HSE West has no community pharmacist there therefore persons on the scheme will have to travel to Oughterard or Galway city to access their medicines.”
The Fine Gael councillor said the Department of Health has isolated a “huge area” of Connemara and caused distress and inconvenience to local people.
Clifden county councillor Eileen Mannion agreed and is urging the HSE West to provide alternative dispensing facilities for people in north Connemara.
“The two pharmacies serving the area withdrew from the State drug scheme on Saturday in protest at the cuts in fees and payments under the scheme. The HSE were given 30 days notice of their withdrawal from the scheme.
“The HSE’s response to the dispute in north Connemara is totally inadequate. It should have an alternative dispensing facility set up in the area to cater for the needs of the rural community. There has been no effort by the HSE to provide dispensing facilities in the area for people on medical cards,” the Fine Gael councillor alleges.
“The HSE response that clients whose usual pharmacy has withdrawn from the State’s Drug Scheme can have their prescription dispensed at any participating pharmacy is of little use when the nearest pharmacy is 40 or 50 miles away.”
Cllr Mannion also claimed the HSE information line is “inadequate” saying callers have been left holding for up to 30 minutes for a response.
“People on medication should not have to face delays and uncertainty having their prescription dispensed.
“The HSE must put in place adequate measures to ensure that the people of North Connemara have dispensing facilities available to them.”
In a statement the HSE West explained that a commercial decision was taken by some pharmacies to withdraw from the State Drug Schemes.
“While the HSE cannot replicate the service provided by community pharmacies we have put in place dispensaries in nine locations across the western seaboard to facilitate members of the public living in those areas.
“In addition to these sites part of the HSE’s contingency arrangements involves making transport available for patients who cannot get to either their nearest participating pharmacy or to a HSE dispensing site. By contacting the HSE information line on 1850 24 1850 members of the public can be directed to their nearest participating pharmacy and where essential can have transport arranged for them. The HSE is seeking to ensure that no patient in urgent need of medication is left without medicine.”
The HSE spokesperson outlined that Connemara patients who are on regular medication may have collected a month’s supply before last Saturday. However, in an emergency they can contact the HSE Information line or their GP. WestDoc facilities in Galway will also help people access medication.
“To date, only a very small number of people have accepted the HSE’s offer of transport and we understand that many friends and family members are assisting in getting patients to a participating pharmacy when the need arises. See HSE.ie for a full list of participating pharmacies in Galway city and county which includes pharmacies in Oughterard, Moycullen, Spiddal and Barna.”
Meanwhile the HSE nationally reported on Tuesday that its temporary dispensing facilities were “busy but manageable”.
Patrick Burke, head of the health authority’s primary care reimbursement scheme, assured people that 75 per cent of pharmacies continue to provide services under the State Drugs Schemes.
“I would also like to acknowledge the pharmacies which continue to fulfil their agreements with the HSE and are putting the needs of their patients and clients first. These pharmacies are accepting an average payment by the HSE of €30 (down from €36 ) for every €100 worth of medication dispensed under the State Drugs Schemes.”
He said generally, people living in urban centres had no problem getting medication.
“Unfortunately the most vulnerable people in small isolated communities are being targeted by a minority of pharmacists who were causing undue worry to their own patients and clients in a concerted campaign in an attempt to force a Government decision to be reversed.
“There is no getting away from the fact that the responsibility for the inconvenience being suffered by patients and clients rests completely with a small minority of pharmacists. Nobody else. This action is about money. It has nothing to do with patient care.”
However, the Irish Pharmacy Union insisted that Minister Harney’s “excessive and unsustainable” cuts of 34 per cent forced many pharmacists to withdraw from the medical card scheme and the Drugs Payment Scheme from August 1.
While it regretted any worry or distress caused, it stressed that the cuts will undermine the ability of many pharmacists to provide the care patients deserve, close many local pharmacies and put 5,000 people out of work.
“Pharmacists made alternative cost cutting proposals that would save €85m, protect patient care and safeguard jobs. They also offered to take the same pay cut as other healthcare professionals.”
The union outlined that medicine prices are set by manufacturers and the Minister for Health. “Pharmacists have no say.”
