Pharmacists in Donegal have welcomed the support of Thomas Pringle TD in their campaign to secure fair funding for the community pharmacy sector.
Mr Pringle recently visited the Healthwise Pharmacy in Dungloe to express his support.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has been calling on government to address the consistent underfunding of pharmacy services, which it warns will have serious consequences for community healthcare.
Since 2009, the amount paid to pharmacies for dispensing medicines has reduced by 24%, while the costs for dispensing medications on behalf of the state have increased by 23%.
The IPU are calling for an increase in dispensing fees to €6.50 per item representing an increase of just 50 cents on the rates paid in 2009.
Welcoming the support of Deputy Pringle, James Cassidy of the Healthwise Pharmacy in Dungloe and a member of the IPU’s Executive Committee said, “The convenience and accessibility of the pharmacy network in Donegal and around the country is superb. It is a real asset of our health system, but it is undervalued and underfunded by the authorities in Dublin. To avoid problems such as pharmacy closures or reduced hours we need to be fairly funded.”
Endorsing the calls for improved funding to the pharmacy sector Independent TD Thomas Pringle said, “Donegal’s pharmacies provide an excellent service to their patients and are an essential part of our community. Pharmacies are paid less today for services they provide the HSE than they were in 2009. This is presenting a very real challenge to many of them. I will fully support their campaign for fair funding and will be continuing to make their case in the months ahead.”
