Calls have been made for the expansion of the services pharmacies can provide in Donegal and around the country.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) expressed the concern today (Mon) highlighting the ‘savage’ FEMPI fee cuts imposed on pharmacies since the recession ahead of Budget 2020 tomorrow (Tues).
According to figures, there are currently over 1,900 community pharmacies providing services to people throughout the country.
The majority (89%) of these are family-owned businesses, each of whom bears the scars of cuts which removed a total of €1.54 billion in revenues from the sector between 2009 and 2018.
On average, family-run pharmacies saw their income from the State schemes fall by a third during this period.
A budget briefing hosted in Dublin this week was attended by Donegal TD Pat “the Cope” Gallagher, and IPU members and community pharmacists.
Elizabeth Lang, IPU, said: “Pharmacies continue to bear the scars of FEMPI and are getting tired of waiting around for a reversal of these cuts. Three years ago, the Government committed to starting the restoration of fees to pharmacists, to date nothing has happened.
“We have consistently put forward proposals that would help patients in Donegal,” she added.
“In other countries allowing pharmacists practise to full scope delivers better patient outcomes. Pharmacists should be empowered to take the pressure off other parts of the healthcare system, including GPs and hospitals.”
According to Ms Lang allowing pharmacists to provide healthcare has been proven to pay dividends.
She added: “We would like to see an expansion of the range of vaccines that pharmacists can administer to include vaccination against meningococcal disease, tetanus and hepatitis A and B, as well as travel vaccines.
“Since July 2017 we have been proposing the introduction of nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation counselling for medical cardholders.
“In response to the capacity crisis that appears to be impacting on GPs across the country the IPU has long advocated for a Minor Ailment Scheme.
“This would allow medical card patients to receive treatment for common illnesses directly from their local community pharmacy without the need for a visit to the GP.
Concluding, Elizabeth Lang said: “No shortage of ambition in the pharmacy sector. This is combined with a strong desire to innovate for our patients and deliver primary care system for all.
“However, a failure by the Government to do anything meaningful for pharmacy in Budget 2020 risks doing structural damage to the whole profession.”
