“I Cannot Operate the Medical Card Scheme at a Loss”

That is the view of one pharmacist as the HSE faces a potential futher disturbance in December. The HSE is altering pricing and payment structures for the medical card scheme from early next month. It will see pharmacists get paid (cost price -8%)+ €3.26 dispensing fee. It might be a little below the radar at the moment but one pharmacist has set up a blog, seems to begin around the time of withdrawing methadone support, to chronicle their dealings with the HSE.

They have come up with a template for others to print off and fill in so as to make the public aware of what this means for their local pharmacist, its below the fold and you might be seeing it at your local pharmacist this winter if you gotta pick up medicine.

The blog is an interesting read (hat-tip Damien) but yet another problem for the HSE appears to be coming down the line.

Dear Customer,

For your prescription today my wholesaler will charge me €……………… The H.S.E. (Medical card) will pay me €…………….. plus a dispensing fee of €3.26 per item.

From December 1st the H.S.E. have decided to pay me €………………….. (cost price less 8%) plus a dispensing fee of €3.26 per item. My wholesaler will still be charging me €……………..

I cannot operate the Medical Card scheme at a loss.

In order to maintain your level of service please contact your local representatives, The H.S.E. And the Minister for Health.

Thank you

David Jordan

Local T.D.s

Sean Ardagh F.F. 01 4568736

Michael Mulcahy F.F. 01 4546223

Mary Upton Lab. 01 6183756

Aengus Ó Snodaigh S.F. 01 6259320

Catherine Byrne F.G. 01 6183083

Mary Harney 01 6354148

Prof. Drumm 01 6352500