The HSE will publish tomorrow a list of 852 community pharmacists that will continue to fill prescriptions under the medical card and other State drug schemes from August 1st.
Some 762 pharmacists have, up to last Friday, served the HSE with notice that they are terminating their contracts under the schemes in a dispute over the Minister for Health’s decision to cut their fees.
The HSE said it would publish the list on its website and also in national newspapers.
It would regularly update the list to include pharmacists who withdraw their termination notices before August 1st and who will therefore continue to be available to dispense medicines under the State drugs schemes, it said.
“In the region of 70 pharmacists have so far chosen to withdraw their termination notices,” a statement said.
HSE chief pharmacist Kate Mulvenna said advised anyone concerned about where to get their medications check the list.
“If your usual pharmacy is not included on this list, you should identify the next most convenient pharmacy.
“If your usual pharmacists will not be able to fill your prescription from August 1st, ask for any prescriptions they may have been holding for you and take these to a participating pharmacy.”
“Given the even spread of participating pharmacies across the country, nobody should be too far from a pharmacy that will be open for State drugs scheme business.”
Ms Mulvenna said that while there may be inconvenience for some, “people should be reassured by the fact that up to a few years ago, and for more than 30 years before that, the country was well served by around 1,100 pharmacies”.
An information line has been set up at 1850 241850.