HSE contingency plan failed first test, claim pharmacists

PHARMACISTS HAVE said that contingency arrangements put in place by the Health Service Executive to dispense drugs and medicines to patients during the current dispute failed their first test.

The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), which represents community pharmacists, said yesterday that there were stories of “widespread chaos” on Saturday, the first day of the dispute.

It warned of widespread medicine shortages and delays tomorrow as demand for drugs and medicines picks up after the bank holiday weekend.

IPU president Liz Hoctor said that the HSE’s contingency plans had “failed dismally” on Saturday and widespread shortages and delays were experienced by patients using the special dispensary services established by the health authority in Donegal, Kerry and Mayo. She also said that there were no back-up facilities operating in Waterford and Cavan despite the widespread closure of pharmacies there.

She warned that if the HSE contingency plans had failed their first test on a quiet bank holiday Saturday, “then we fear real disasters when demand picks up on Tuesday”.

The HSE has claimed that its contingency plans had worked reasonably well. “While the HSE cannot replicate the services provided by pharmacists around the country our contingency plans ensured that no patient in need was left without medication. We opened nine dispensing sites on the western seaboard and, where necessary, the HSE offered to provide transport to bring patients to their nearest participating pharmacies to have their prescriptions filled, which a small number of patients have availed of. In exceptional circumstances, a HSE qualified pharmacist delivered medicines to patients where this was required,” it stated.

The HSE said that its dispensing sites would reopen tomorrow. In a statement issued yesterday by the IPU, Donegal pharmacist James Cassidy from Gweedore said that there had been no reliable service available to patients from the HSE.

“In Inishowen the HSE actually hired taxis to transfer patients between the peninsula and the contingency site in Stranorlar. Prescriptions were then to be left for collection after 7.30 [on Saturday evening last] in Carndonagh community hospital. In Dungloe, we had several patients who went to the contingency site requesting medications only to be told the items were not in stock but to come back on Tuesday. This is a gross abdication of the duty to provide safe care to patients who simply cannot wait three days for essential medicines.”

The HSE said that none of the pharmacies in the Inishowen area were providing services to customers under the State drug scheme on Saturday morning.

It strongly criticised the IPU and accused it of misrepresenting the facts in relation to the numbers of pharmacies that have terminated their agreements to operate the State drug schemes.

“The IPU is deliberately using inaccurate information to create concern and worry in the minds of patients and clients. It is remarkable for a professional body to behave like this,” it said.

Fianna Fáil TD Chris Andrews urged the HSE to enter dialogue with the IPU. “The IPU maintains that the reductions will result in a 34 per cent reduction in income while the HSE maintains that the figure is 24 per cent,” he said. “I believe the figures should be independently verified. Following this, negotiations must take place to find a resolution. While I fully agree that the HSE cannot continue paying the current rates, there cannot be a situation where pharmacists are dispensing medicine at a loss.”