THE HEALTH Service Executive (HSE) has criticised pharmacists for holding a meeting on a "business day" to discuss their next response to cuts in dispensing fees.
Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) members are meeting in Dublin tomorrow to consider what steps to take in the ongoing row, which will see fees substantially reduced for dispensing medicines under the community drugs schemes.
The IPU is expecting around 500 members to attend the meeting.
The HSE said last night that it was disappointed to note that "contrary to normal practice" this meeting had been called for a business day.
"There would appear to be no reason - other than causing inconvenience to some patients trying to collect prescriptions - that this meeting could not have been scheduled for a Sunday, which is the usual day that the IPU holds meetings of its members," it said.
It had been reported that hundreds of pharmacies could remain closed as their owners attended tomorrow's meeting.
In a letter last night, the HSE has also asked the IPU for a list of "liaison" pharmacist members by lunchtime today so that any emergency/urgent situations that might arise "can be dealt with in an expeditious and safe manner, thereby ensuring that patient safety is not compromised in any way".
An IPU spokeswoman said yesterday that it has asked members to ensure that pharmacy services would be available tomorrow.
"We understand some members have arranged emergency cover for the day," the spokeswoman said. "Some are opening for the morning and for a few hours in the evening."
She said around 500 of the 1,600 IPU members were expected to attend the meeting. "Our feedback is that they are incredibly worried about the situation," she said.
The HSE plans to reduce the margin paid to pharmaceutical wholesalers in a move aimed at saving €100 million.
The pharmacists argue that they could end up paying more for drugs than they receive in State reimbursement. They have warned that the planned cuts would lead to a reduction in services to patients and the closure of some pharmacies.
Minister for Health Mary Harney has said the existing mark-up paid on the wholesale price of drugs at almost 18 per cent is "neither reasonable nor sustainable". Around half of this margin goes in "kickbacks" to the pharmacists.
The IPU said the HSE had changed the contract with pharmacists without consultation. It said that there was "no evidence" it had considered the impact the move would have on patients.
"How can you provide the same level of service if you are being paid a lower rate?" the IPU spokeswoman asked.
She said the meeting would be seeking views on what the next move should be and giving an update on the current situation.