Delays of up to six months in pricing prescriptions in Wales were highlighted on BBC Radio Wales's Good Morning Wales programme on March 3.
An unnamed pharmacist from west Wales was quoted as saying that arrears of between £6,000 and £10,000 per month were being built up.
The delays were attributed to an increased workload because of problems caused by shortages of generic drugs and the creation of Health Solutions Wales (HSW), the Welsh pricing authority, from the former Welsh Health Common Services Agency. When HSW was formed it had to move to new offices in order to make room for what is now the debating chamber of the National Assembly for Wales.
Mr Simon Jones, chairman of Bro Taf health authority which supervises HSW, said that arrangements had been made for advanced payments to community pharmacy contractors. Pharmacists who were experiencing difficulties could make representations to the Assembly. A thorough review of the prescription pricing process would be carried out, he added.
Mr Geraint Davies (Assembly Member for Rhondda and a pharmacy contractor) described the situation as "totally unsatisfactory". He said that the Assembly's attempts to reduce the drugs bill for Wales were being hampered by prescribing data becoming out of date.