The Health Service Executive says it has written to a number of pharmacies saying it is preparing to apply for High Court injunctions to force them to comply with their State contracts.

The Executive claims that a small number of pharmacies that hold contracts to dispense State drugs have closed, partially closed or are refusing to accept new customers.

Earlier, it said only 'a very small number of people' have accepted the offer of free transport to collect prescriptions from pharmacies or the alternative emergency dispensaries it has established in local health centres and clinics in the western region.

Nine of these emergency outlets have been opened so far, but the HSE says it is not now going ahead with plans to open a tenth in Ballina, Co Mayo.

RTÉ News: Pharmacies warned of High Court injunction.


The HSE says it is willing to provide transport to the nearest participating pharmacy to ensure that no patient in urgent need of medication is left without it.

Meanwhile, patient support groups representing people with epilepsy, diabetes and the elderly have expressed concern about the impact of the pharmacy dispute, which is now in its fifth day.

The Irish Epilepsy Association said that 37,000 people with epilepsy secure their medicines on the long-term illness scheme and while most would have stocked up for four weeks, a serious situation could arise if the dispute is not resolved soon.

The Diabetes Federation of Ireland said there was 'utter confusion' among patients about which pharmacies were open.