Officials of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee are to meet Department of Health representatives on May 2 to discuss Government price fixing for generic medicines and the abolition of Drug Tariff Category D to ensure that there is no adverse affect on contractors.
Commenting on the planned meeting on April 25, the PSNC chairman (Mr Wally Dove) said in a statement: "In particular, we will want to explore with them how they propose - in the absence of Category D - to address the situation where there is a shortage of generic products."
He added that he was also keen to address problems that would inevitably be caused by de-stocking in the run up to the introduction of price controls.
"We are concerned to ensure that patients continue to receive the first class service they have come to expect from community pharmacies. Obtaining the prescribed medicine quickly and conveniently is a key part of that service and we do not want to see this jeopardised," Mr Dove said.