Ulster Gazette - News - Judge rules in favour of pharmacies

News

Judge rules in favour of pharmacies

Thursday, 5 January 2012

THERE is light at the end of the tunnel for Armagh's pharmacies after a High Court judge ruled that government cuts went ahead without consultation.
The ruling outlines how health officials failed to conduct a proper consultation before they went ahead with £38 million in cuts to community pharmacies.
The Ulster Gazette reported back in November that, because of these cuts, Armagh could lose up to half their pharmacies over the next few years.
Maurice Currie, of Healthstar Pharmacy on Railway Street, spoke to the Gazette about the ruling.
“The Judge ruled on exactly what we had been saying - these cuts are draconian and went ahead without any proper consultation," he said.
“He couldn't understand why the department had bulled on with the cuts but, hopefully, now we can get back around the table and thrash out a deal to end these dictatorial terms.
“It just seems that pharmacies are an easy target, almost like an accountant has sat down and said 'we can shave thirty grand off here' without thinking of the consequences.
“Thirty per cent cuts over the last eight months has definitely caused some damage - jobs have been lost and it will take years to rectify."
He added: "It's certainly not a victory for pharmacists, but at least common sense has prevailed and there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
“This review has been welcomed and it was a nice wee Christmas bonus and a decent start to the new year."
Newry and Armagh DUP MLA William Irwin said the conclusion of a judicial review taken by pharmacists in Northern Ireland should now pave the way for talks to begin between them and the Health Minister.
Mr Irwin said that the issue was one he believed his colleague Edwin Poots MLA was keen to see resolved.
“Having spoken to Minister Poots a number of times on this issue, I know it is a matter he is keen to see a resolution to," said the Assemblyman.
“He found the legal proceedings frustrating, as they prevented him from getting involved in face-to-face discussions on the new drug tariff, introduced back in April, and other matters."
He added: "I have met with community pharmacists recently and heard their valid concerns over the sustainability of the services they offer.
“I know the Minister sees considerable potential for pharmacists to play a more central role in areas such as health promotion, and believes that they don't always have the opportunity to utilise the ranges of skills they possess."
He concluded: "When the Assembly resumes in early January, I will be continuing to lobby for a satisfactory outcome to this issue and, with the ending of the judicial review process, this will allow negotiations to resume and hopefully any remaining stumbling blocks can be overcome as quickly as possible."