Pharmacists Withdraw Threat to Boycott Drugs Schemes

Around 800 pharmacies were threatening to stop dispensing medicine under various schemes due to a row over the payments they receive from the HSE for wholesale medicines.The HSE has unilaterally reduced the price in an effort to save money and the two sides are still in dispute over the matter.However, they did manage to reach a deal yesterday that will see the pharmacists continue to dispense medicines to medical card holders and people on other drug schemes.Under the deal, the HSE has agreed to continue paying the current price for fridge items like insulin and controlled drugs like morphine.

(c) 2008 Belfast Telegraph. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.