Pharmacists dispute with HSE

RTE News

Pharmacists claim they will lose 30% of income & could lose up to 5,000 jobs. HSE claims only wholesaler margins will be cut? Who is correct?

AFAIK Pharmacies charge E3.27 dispensing fee but also have very large margins on medicine - possibly 50-100%.

It also seems like a lot more pharmacies in recent years. I think there used to be a rule where they could not setup close to each other or something. I am sure I could find at least 10 pharmacies in a mile radius so someone must be making money especially on such high margins.

Apparently they cannot negotiate a fee with the HSE as they are separate businesses so that would be anti competitive.

:confused: