I am a pharmacist.
Very much simplified version of situation/issues:
1. Under the Health Acts, Govt is obliged to provide your drugs for you if you're eligible.
2. Pharmacists were contracted to provide these for you on Govts behalf.
3. The Govt tried to reduce the payments for these services, was ruled by the court to have breached the contract.
4. Govt changed the law (Financial Emergency Measures in Public Interest Act, 2009, aka FEMPI) meaning that contract wasn't worth paper its written on. FEMPI states that Minister can reduce payments despite any contract that says otherwise.
5. Govt announced sweeping cuts in the payments at only 13 days notice, amounting to approximately 34-35% of the profits that pharmacies made for providing the services. Essentially, cuts are on a "take it or leave it" basis. (FEMPI says health professionals can give 30 days notice if they don't want to accept the cuts)
6. Many pharmacists (approx 1100 out of 1500-1600, as of 2/7/09) give the Govt notice of non-acceptance of the cuts, effective from 1st August.
7. Govt still obliged to supply or make arrangements to supply your drugs.
For a details discussion of how much pharmacies are paid, including explanations of why medicines are much cheaper in Spain etc., please visit the following thread:
http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?t=115450
Please read it. You may be surprised. Pharmacies are not the rip-off merchants that many seem to believe.
Pharmacists recognise the need to save money on the drugs budget, and have been attempting for years through our Union to negotiate such matters with the Govt. The Govt has consistently refused to negotiate. When last year's attempt at cuts nearly led to a withdrawal, there were 11th-hour promises made by the Govt/HSE to engage in meaningful negotiations with the Union. These promises were reneged upon.
What pharmacists want: the right to have cuts negotiated with our Union; for any cuts to be reasonable and proportionate to that being asked of other professions/sectors of society; meaningful engagement with our Union about how to reduce the overall drugs bill in a sustainable manner.
What happens in August: The Govt's obligation to supply meds to those eligible still exists. Similarly, for those with "partial eligibility" are still entitled to get refunds and/or partial refunds. If the Govt doesn't engage with the Union, they will have to make alternative arrangements for you. Please ask the HSE what those alternative arrangements are.
We are not being unreasonable. The HSE and the Govt in the form of Mary Harney are being unreasonable.
Please, talk to your local pharmacist. We are an approachable bunch of people, and you don't need an appointment! Ask us how much it costs us to buy stock. Ask us how much we used to get paid to supply them. Ask us how much we will get paid in the future.
And then, make up your mind.
Thanks for reading.