Irish Pharmacy hits crisis.

[admin]

It looks like pharmacy is a dying trade in Ireland - comments?

[Fleegle]

It's not just pharmacy that will die if we allow this government their evil way.....it's democracy as we know it. We're going to win this. I'm closed tomorrow. We have many GPs and dentists behind us in all this, as they know they will probably be next.

From today's Irish Independent....

Long wait for many patients
HSE says back-up plans are just 'trying to fill gaps'

By Ralph Riegel, Anita Guidera, Brian McDonald and Anne Lucey


Wednesday August 05 2009

'They are entitled to a civilised, properly run and safe service'


DONEGAL

MEDICAL prescriptions dispensed in Ireland's largest and most northerly peninsula yesterday were being filled over 100km away and returned by taxi to patients late last night.

In the Inishowen peninsula of Donegal all 11 pharmacies were closed, but there was no contingency dispensing facility in the vast region.

Patients covered by the community drugs scheme were being asked to hand their GP prescription into Carndonagh community hospital. It was then faxed to the nearest contingency dispensary at St Joseph's Hospital, Stranorlar, 89km away.

Patients were then asked to return to the community hospital in Carndonagh at 10pm last night to collect their medicines, which were delivered by taxi.

Carndonagh-based GP Dr John Madden described the arrangement as less than satisfactory but pointed out that a dispensing facility was being planned by the HSE for Carndonagh later this week.

But local Irish Pharmacists' Union (IPU) representative Fergus Brennan described the arrangement as "wholly unacceptable". "Ordinary people are getting caught in the crossfire here. They are entitled to a civilised, properly run and safe service and they are not getting it," he said.

IPU community pharmacists' committee vice chairman Rory O'Donnell last night confirmed there was anecdotal evidence of certain prescribed items running out and delays and pressures at the Donegal centres.

But, according to the HSE, demand was relatively quiet yesterday. Meanwhile, gardai rubbished reports that a presence was being sought at the Stranorlar centre following claims of intimidatory behaviour to staff.


GALWAY-ROSCOMMON

THOUSANDS of people living in the Clifden hinterland and on islands such as Inishbofin are facing a 70-mile round trip to get critical medicines.

However, the HSE has said it will spare no effort to get drugs to patients, who urgently need them, in remote areas.

Medical-card holders in the area are furious that they are now facing a minimum of a 35-mile journey to Oughterard.

The only two pharmacies in Clifden have withdrawn from the State-run drugs scheme, leaving customers in the town, as well as in Roundstone, Cleggan, Claddaghduff, Ballinahinch and Ballyconneely dismayed.

The chairman of the HSE West Forum, Councillor Padraig Conneely, described the failure to include the Clifden hospital in the list of emergency facilities as "unbelievable". The HSE pointed out that patients could contact their GP to contact the pharmacy at Galway University Hospital and the drugs would then be transported to the patient. But Cllr Conneely claimed that a taxi to and from Cleggan, the departure point for Inishbofin boats, would cost up to €250 a time.

A HSE spokesperson said: "The HSE cannot duplicate the service provided by community pharmacies, but we have attempted to fill the gaps."

A temporary HSE pharmacy was opened yesterday in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, after the four local chemist shops pulled out of the state scheme.

Medical-card holders queued at the town's health centre to get their prescriptions -- an arrangement that left many unhappy.


CORK

COMMUNITY pharmacies warned yesterday they cannot afford to concede to the HSE's drug payment demands amid mounting fears of a second fee cut in 2011.

Eleanor Fitzpatrick of Joyce's Pharmacy in Mallow said that community operations now have "very grave fears" for the future.

She stressed that while she has backed the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) stance, nobody left Joyce's yesterday without an interim supply of any critical medications they had sought.

"They got a couple of days' supply to get them through until this whole thing is hopefully sorted out."

She also stressed that pharmacists have received overwhelming backing from customers -- many of whom are annoyed at the hardline stance adopted by the Government and HSE.

"We're afraid that this is only the thin edge of the wedge -- with another cut in the rate likely for next year," she added.

Community pharmacies have also been inundated with faxes and letters from the HSE over the operation of the scheme. "The whole thing has been very intimidating," she said.


KERRY

PHARMACISTS in Listowel, Tralee and Castleisland reported major delays in the filling of medical card clients' prescriptions at HSE temporary dispensaries.

In some cases a lack of medicines at the dispensaries was reported. The majority of the 59 Kerry pharmacies closed until lunchtime yesterday, in a region where one-third of the county's pharmacies have withdrawn from the State's drugs scheme.

All pharmacies in Listowel and Castleisland and most in Tralee have withdrawn from scheme. However, all 11 Killarney pharmacies who have signed up to continue their contracts with the HSE to dispense drugs to medical-card holders also closed yesterday until 1pm "in support" of their colleagues.

The HSE South insisted the dispensaries in Listowel Community Hospital, Cahersiveen community hospital and at Denny Street, Tralee, had been operating well yesterday.

It said there were only delays of up to 45 minutes in Tralee and Listowel. However, this was disputed by local pharmacists.

- Ralph Riegel, Anita Guidera, Brian McDonald and Anne Lucey

Fleeg.

[admin]

I wish we had people like this who would stand up and be counted!

Good on you lot - you must win this!

[Fleegle]

Check this out...

YouTube - Interview with patient at HSE contingency pharmacy. 4/8/09

[Fleegle]

It's gone to law. HSE are now seeking court injunctions in an attempt to force terminated pharmacies back into the fold. They have started with two chains, Hickies and Bradleys. Barristers acting for the pharmacies are of the opinion the pharmacies hold the high ground at present.....


HSE granted court injunction (From the Irish Times)

Related »

• HSE warns of court injunctions | 05/08/2009
• IPU claims 'widespread' problems | 04/08/2009
• IPU rejects 'intimidation' claims | 03/08/2009
• HSE condemns pharmacy union over misinformation | 02/08/2009
• Pharmacies withdraw from community drug schemes | 01/08/2009

External »

• Health Service Executive
• Irish Pharmacy Union

The Irish Times takes no responsibility for the content
or availability of other websites


The HSE has secured a High Court order compelling 35 pharmacies to continue to provide medicine to the public under the terms of the community drugs schemes.
The HSE sought the order dues to what it claims is the “grave risk” to public safety due to the pharmacies failure to give notice that they have ceased providing drugs and medicines in accordance with the terms of the Community Pharmacy Contractor (CPC) agreements.
At the High Court, Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan granted the HSE an interim injunction against 35 pharmacies in the Hickey Group and the Bradley Group of pharmacies, which have entered into CPCs with the HSE.
The two groups operate pharmacies in Cos Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Louth, Wexford and Wicklow.
Under the terms of the injunction, which was granted on an ex parte basis, 35 of the group’s pharmacies must continue to provide services to the HSE pending the service of a notice of termination to continue to provide those services in accordance with the terms of Community Pharmacy Contract.
Mr Justice Sheehan said that he was satisfied to grant the order as this was a matter of the “utmost urgency.”
He also rejected the argument made on behalf of the defendants, in correspondence with the HSE, that a dispute resolution clause contained in the CPC agreement precluded the HSE from coming to court to seek an injunction.
Mr Justice Sheehan made the matter returnable to Monday morning.
A spokesman for the Irish Pharmacy Union said tonight the use of the courts at this time was "unhelpful" to securing a full resumption of pharmacy services in the light of a call by the union for a third-party mediator to be appointed.
Seeking the order, Eileen Barrington, for the HSE, said the executive had come to court amid fears that patients may not be able to obtain medicines from the defendants. This carried a risk of endangering the health of people who participate in the various schemes.
Ms Barrington said that the defendants did not give notice that they intended to cease to provide services.
Counsel said after the government announced in the 2009 Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act it was cutting the renumeration paid to pharmacists under the CPC Agreement many contractors announced they were withdrawing from the scheme.
The HSE wrote to all pharmacists requesting confirmation that would continue with the scheme after August 1st.
However Ms Barrington said neither of the two defendants gave the required 30 days notice that they intended to withdraw from their respective CPC Agreements with the HSE, so it was assumed they would continue to provide services after August 1st.
Counsel said it was claimed in a newspaper article on July 31st that Hickeys was withdrawing from the Community Drugs scheme. When the HSE sought clarification on that claim none was given.
Ms Barrington said the HSE included on its website the names of all the pharmacies that have not terminated their contracts, in order to assist the public. She said the defendants’ names appear on the site because the groups have not validly terminated their contracts.
Counsel said it was the HSE’s claim that 21 out of the 27 pharmacies in the Hickey Group and 14 out of 16 of the pharmacies with the Bradley group are not complying with the CPC Agreements.
She said solicitors acting for the defendants have never sought to deny the pharmacies were closed or not providing the services, or that they intended to terminate their contracts. The companies’ solicitors have been refused to state if their clients will comply with the contractual obligations or not, she added.
According to the terms of the CPC’s pharmacies are also required to be open for a specific number of hours per day, and days per week.
Ms Barrington said the situation with the defendants since August 1st is unclear and fluctuated from “day to day.” The HSE did not know when or what hours a particular pharmacy would be open, or if a unit would be open at all.
“A pharmacy could be closed today but open, tomorrow,” she said, adding that it seemed this was a plan designed to cause “maximum disruption” and put “political pressure” on the Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney.
Counsel added that the HSE’s contingency plans a number of centres for dispensing medicines were set up in areas where the risk of disruption was deemed to be at its greatest. Theses are in Cos Donegal, Kerry, Mayo and Roscommon.
However it did not set up to cater for the Dublin or the general East of Ireland area because it included pharmacies that had not indicated their plans to withdraw from the CPC agreement.
Ms Barrington said had a greater number of pharmacies indicated they were terminating their contracts then arrangements would have been made for more contingency plans. The court also heard it takes time before such a centre can be set up.

[LLUK77]

This shows how desperate the HSE are getting. Its just intimidation.....trying to coerce other pharmacies to resume services!

I have heard that the HSE spends public money like anything. Did Harney look at streamlining expenditure at the HSE?

Is this situation affecting you Fleegle? - has demand at your pharmacy gone up or has it gone down - do you have any customers having a go at you guys?

[Fleegle]

Mary Harney has offered the olive branch. She is now prepared to meet with the IPU, albeit under the guise of 'the way forward for Irish pharmacy'. She apparently is still doing a Mrs Thatch on the real reason for this whole thing..a 34% cut in pharmacy remuneration, and is 'not for turning'...would be nice if she invented her own catchphrase though...it's not as if she has the power to close Dublin, never mind Wales....

Here's the latest release from the IPU...


Statement by Irish Pharmacy Union

2.15pm Saturday 8th August 2009. The Executive Committee of the Irish Pharmacy Union [IPU] met this morning in a special meeting to discuss the pharmacy crisis.

The Executive expressed “grave concern” at the failure of the HSE’s contingency planning and the threat to patient safety which had arisen during the past week. The President of the Union, Ms. Hoctor asked pharmacists to continue their efforts to support their patients at this difficult time.

Speaking after the meeting, Ms. Hoctor, said that the Executive regrettably did not believe that a resumption of normal pharmacy services was likely at this time.

Ms. Hoctor acknowledged that the Minister had today offered to meet with the Union and confirmed that the Union will make itself available for that meeting.


Further Information:
Ray Gordon
Gordon MRM
Ph: 087 2417373

[Fleegle]

This shows how desperate the HSE are getting. Its just intimidation.....trying to coerce other pharmacies to resume services!

I have heard that the HSE spends public money like anything. Did Harney look at streamlining expenditure at the HSE?

Is this situation affecting you Fleegle? - has demand at your pharmacy gone up or has it gone down - do you have any customers having a go at you guys?

Hanging tight...customers very understanding.

Fleeg.

[Fleegle]

Well it appears to be 'over'. IPU have backed down. Plenty pharmacists extremely unhappy with the decision though. Too many newspaper reports to post here, this is a sample. IPU being blamed unilaterally for lack of leadership when it came to the crunch....

Irish Independent 12/08/09
Business as usual after pharmacists back down

GRAINNE CUNNINGHAM

PHARMACISTS last night threw in the towel on their 11-day-old boycott of the State drugs scheme and will resume normal services from today.

After an emergency meeting of the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) last night, the union's executive urged all pharmacists to open as usual in the interests of patient safety and "in light of commitments made by the minister in recent statements".

A HSE spokeswoman said she would "welcome any decision that is going to put patients' needs to the fore".

Health Minister Mary Harney last night welcomed the IPU decision, saying she looked forward to the full resumption of pharmacy services.

But IPU President Liz Hoctor insisted the pharmacists' dispute with Ms Harney was not over and that, if outstanding issues were not resolved, "further disruption to services was almost inevitable".

"Pharmacists have made clear over the past 11 days that the profession is united and is prepared to fight for the right to proper representation and input into issues that affect our profession and patient welfare," Ms Hoctor said.

But she acknowledged progress had been made on some issues, with the Ms Harney agreeing to a ceiling on the cuts faced by pharmacists, and committing to a dialogue with the profession. The IPU is to write to Ms Harney setting out its agenda, she added.

"The minister has to recognise that, irrespective of what legislation she is acting under, she cannot hope to bring about real and lasting change without the involvement and participation of all parties." Ms Harney has promised to carry out a review before the end of June next year to assess the impact of the rates introduced by her on July 1.

There were signs yesterday, even before the IPU called its meeting, that pharmacies were losing the boycott battle. The HSE announced it had received requests from over 50 pharmacies to recommence providing services under the state schemes, after they had previously terminated their agreements.

Opposed

And earlier, one of the country's best-known pharmacy groups, Sam McCauley Chemists, announced it was resuming normal business.

Patrick McCormack, managing director of Sam McCauley's 24 outlets, denied they were "backing down" and said the company remained firmly opposed to the government cuts on prescription medicine prices.

"The customers are the ones that are caught in the middle of this. It was upsetting for some of our patients and we don't want anything serious to happen to them."

Reacting to the ending of the boycott, Cormac Tobin, the head of Unicare, the biggest pharmacy chain in country, said that while all 72 Unicare outlets had remained open during the dispute, he was "very disappointed by what the Government did".

Fleeg.

[DavidS]

Sounds like they were faced with a dividing power base, which is not a strong negotating position. I think/hope that this is some kind of face-saving exercise for the HSE, and the rate cut will be quietely adjusted in some way.

In the meantime, it will be interesting to see if this has a negative effect on boots. My experience is that if you try and do "favours" and don't do it properly, it just winds everybody up and backfires, if I'm not mixing my metaphors!

It wouldn't surprise me if many customers don't ever want to return there.