Chaos predicted by IPU if pharmacist dispute not resolved

If the current pharmacists dispute is not resolved, it will have devastating effects on this region, according to the North West representative of the Irish Pharmacists Union.

Tom Murray is among 1,000 pharmacists attending an emergency meeting in Dublin over the Governments plans to cut their fees.

The IPU says 1150 of its members will cease dispensing medicines under the medical card and drugs payments schemes once the cuts come in at the start of next month.

Many pharmacies in the North West will be closed today as a result of the meeting and measures are in place for dispensing medication in an emergency.

Mr Murray said that the Minister for health refuses to meet with the Union and her contingency plan simply will not work.

He added that the patients are the ones who will suffer.