Age Action has warned that older people should not be used as pawns in the current dispute between the HSE and pharmacists over medical card charges.

“With pharmacists threatening to withdraw from the scheme from this Saturday (March 1) there is rising concern among older people as to how they get their medication,” Age Action’s Head of Advocacy and Communications Eamon Timmins said. “We urge all sides in this dispute to come together to assure older people that there is a contingency plan and, no matter how this dispute develops, they will continue to receive their medication.”

Age Action is particularly concerned that any such contingency plan would be sufficient to meet the needs of older people living in rural areas, where there are already fewer pharmacies.  Such a contingency plan would not work if it involved older people in rural areas having to travel long distances to fill their prescriptions.

If pharmacists withdraw from the medical card scheme, it would represent a further reduction in the service provided to card holders.  Many older people are still experiencing the inconvenience caused by the withdrawal of private dentists from the scheme more than a year ago.  It is estimated that between 400 and 500 of the 800 private dentists have withdrawn from the scheme.  Older people are left with seeking another dentist or going to the HSE dental clinics.