FEARS FOR JOBS AS TESCO OPENS PHARMACIES IN STORES

THERE are real fears that dozens of jobs could go in local Donegal pharmacies if Tesco goes ahead with plans to open rival businesses.

The British supermarket chain – which makes more cash in Ireland than in any other country in which it operates –  opened its first Irish pharmacies this week in stores in Naas, Co Kildare, and Balbriggan, Dublin.

Up to ten more stores could also get the pharmacy section. It has pledged to implement only the HSE-recommended mark- up of 20 per cent on pharmaceutical products as well as an inbuilt dispensing fee of €3.50.

And Letterkenny could be on the list.

Tesco sells medicines at massively reduced prices.

In Britain thousands of people have lost their jobs where Tesco has introduced chemist counters in 300 of its stores.

Opticians could be next in the giant company’s firing line.

It has already opened opticians counters in Tesco in Belfast where people can buy prescription glasses for 30 euro.