This article is from page 16 of the 2009-08-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
that they will not be operating the Government drugs dispensing scheme.
A spokesperson for Tulla Phar- macy said they would not be co- operating with the HSE, while at Keating’s Pharmacy in Corbally said they would also be opting out of the scheme.
“Our name may be on the list of pharmacies operating the scheme
but we advised the HSE directly, and then through our union, that we wouldn’t be participating,” a spokesman for the pharmacy said. ‘These are divide and conquer tac- tics,” he said.
Sean Collins Pharmacy in Killa- loe is listed and will be operating the scheme.
“It’s a difficult situation. How do you tell Mrs Murphy, who comes in every month for her blood pressure tablets, that this month you won’t be dispensing them?” a spokesman Sree
The other east Clare pharmacy on the HSE list, the Green Cross in Killaloe could not be contacted to confirm whether or not they will be participating in the scheme.
Meanwhile Age Action Ireland is urging all older people who are on regular medication to take steps, as a matter of priority, to ensure they are not adversely affected by the pharmacist’s dispute.
“It is important that older people act to ensure that the dispute does not impact on their supply of med1- cation,’ Age Action spokesman,
Eamon Timmins said. “For people in rural areas it may mean organis- ing a lift to the pharmacist and ar- ranging transport to an alternative pharmacist. We would urge fami- lies and neighbours to help those who do not have public transport.”
The group is also advising that people, in parts of the country Where the HSE is _ establishing its own pharmacies to meet local needs, should also make themselves aware of the location of these serv- ices at www.hse.ie or by phoning the HSE information line 1850 24
1850.
‘But it is important that people do not put off this decision until the day they go to fill their prescrip- tion; act today to ensure you can continue normally with your medi- cation,’ Mr Timmins said.
Age Action has also urged the HSE to ensure that its contingency plans prioritise older people who are house-bound and/or live in re- mote rural areas without public transport. He has also urged both sides to recommence talks so that a solution can be found.