Minister Donnelly leaving Leitrim pharmacies in the dark

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has been accused of ignoring pharmacies in County Leitrim and across Ireland by leaving them in the dark over their future funding. There are 15 pharmacies across the County, supporting over 130 jobs. 

Local pharmacies are under severe strain as a 14-year pay freeze impacts on patient care as an increasing number of pharmacies face reduced hours and closing at weekends. 

The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has said the sector is rapidly losing faith in the Minister and his department’s ability to use pharmacies appropriately and is now campaigning for meaningful engagement. 

Outlining the issues faced by Ireland’s pharmacies, Derek Reilly, interim Secretary General of the IPU, said that while costs increase dramatically, the fees received for doing vital healthcare work are lower now than in 2009. 

“Minister Donnelly is legally obliged to review pharmacy services and funding by the end of June 2023. Despite this deadline, there has been zero engagement from the Minister.”

Mr Reilly explains that most pharmacies are small and family-owned businesses, relying on state income. “Community Pharmacy is now the only healthcare sector that has had no pay restoration since the financial crisis. There is no reason for this blatant discrimination, and it needs to change”, he said. 

Goodwill among pharmacies has been eroded, according to the IPU. 

“Despite being ignored by the Minister, community pharmacies have consistently delivered, they continue to provide a first-class service to patients. The accessibility of the pharmacy sector papers over the numerous cracks in the healthcare system. Nowhere was this more evident than during the COVID-19 pandemic when pharmacists stood up to the plate with the delivery of vaccines,” said Reilly.

“But patience is wearing thin over the lack of respect, and as a result, many pharmacists may not engage in new schemes or pharmacy services. This would be a grossly missed opportunity if not addressed.”

“In 2009, pharmacies were paid an average dispensing fee of €6.00. That was cut during the recession and has never been restored despite costs being significantly higher. The IPU is calling for the introduction of a flat fee model of care being reimbursed at €6.50 per medicine. But above all else, right now, we are calling on the Minister for Health to engage with community pharmacies to discuss fees before the June 30 deadline.”

Mr Reilly said that patients are experiencing longer wait times for dispensing prescription medicines. “This government has been warned that this would happen but sadly continues to sleepwalk into a major crisis”, he added. 

The IPU is urging Minister Donnelly to end the uncertainty and bring forward meaningful proposals for the future of the pharmacy sector.

Re-iterating the IPU’s request to meet with Minister Donnelly, Derek Reilly said, “The IPU and our members will meet the Minister at any place at any time. After years of being taken for granted, we expect this basic courtesy to be extended to a sector that has consistently delivered.”