Almost Half Of Chemists In Breach Of Regulations

Nearly half of Ireland's chemists have been caught breaching pharmacy regulations, according to a new study.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland randomly inspected a total of 147 pharmacies from January 2007 to July 2008 and discovered 62 infringements of chemists regulations.

Included in the flouted rules were cases of selling prescriptions without the supervision of an authorised pharmacist, selling prescription drugs in non-childproof containers, selling drugs without seeing a corresponding prescription and selling out-of-date medicines including Ritalin.

According to reports, 58 chemists were advised of their rule breaking, while four are still being investigated.

The news comes as the Health Minister, Mary Harney, has said her promised €100 million in savings is still achievable under the Community Drugs Scheme.

Last week the HSE lost a court ruling to cut the mark-up payable to pharmacists to 7%.

This is beacuse everyday drugs such as aspirin and antibiotics routinely cost over 75% less in Spain and the US than in Ireland.

"We spend a huge amount of money distributing the product from the producer to the patients," Minister Harney said.

"We have a judgment now from the High Court. We have to respect that judgment and implement it."

However, the Government hopes better distribution arrangements under the Community Drugs Scheme will result in the €100million savings.

(DW)