Minister accused of leaving Limerick pharmacies in dark

PHARMACIES across Limerick have accused Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly of ignoring them by leaving them in the dark over their future funding.

The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) which represents community-based pharmacies nationwide has said the sector is rapidly losing faith in the Minister and his department’s ability to use pharmacies appropriately.

Pharmacists are now campaigning for meaningful engagement to begin without delay.

Outlining the issues faced by Ireland’s pharmacies, Croom-based pharmacist Rebecca Barry said: "Pharmacies have endured a 14-year-long pay freeze at the hand of the government.

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"They provide vital healthcare services on behalf of the state and while costs increase dramatically the fees received for doing this work are lower now than in 2009. We are reaching the point where the future viability of many pharmacies is coming into question."

There are 92 pharmacies in Limerick supporting over 680 jobs in the county.

"The Minister is legally obliged to review pharmacy services and funding by the end of June 2023. Despite this deadline there has been zero engagement from the Minister," Ms Barry said.

"The majority of pharmacies are small businesses, they rely on state income. It is incredulous that less than a month before the Minister must decide on their future he has not engaged with the sector in any way.

"Community pharmacy is now the only healthcare sector that has had no pay restoration since the financial crisis. There is no reason for this blatant discrimination, and it needs to change."