As part of our pay restoration campaign, the IPU was quoted in numerous articles and on several radio stations about the campaign which highlighted that one in ten pharmacies is losing money, with rural community pharmacies most affected. This topic was covered in an opinion piece in The Irish Times and on Today FM, Spin FM, Radio Kerry among other regional media outlets. It also appeared on three different times on the Newstalk.
A follow up article rebutting several of the points made by the Department of Health was included in the Irish Times under the heading “Pharmacists accuse Department of Health of ‘stonewalling’ in row over dispensing fees”. You can read the article here.
In response an article was carried in the Irish Times quoting figures from an internal Department of Health, note that was seen by the paper, which you can read here.
Derek Reilly, Secretary General (Acting) as part of the campaign was widely quoted on behalf of the IPU accusing Stephen Donnelly of leaving pharmacies in the dark over funding. This was covered by Irish Independent, Galway Daily, Donegal Democrat, The Echo, Ireland Live. Derek was also interviewed on KFM and East Coast FM on the same issues. The item was covered on C103 in an interview with Clare Fitzell.
The IPU was mentioned in articles and on radio stations regarding pharmacies having to reduce hours and closing early on weekends due to the financial pressures they face. This topic was covered on RTÉ Radio 1, Today FM, Clare FM, Radio Kerry, Shannonside, Ocean FM, Galway Bay FM, Kildare FM, Red FM and covered in the Irish Examiner. There was also an interview with Dermot Twomey, IPU President, on The Pat Kenny Show. See press release here.
There was further media coverage regarding our partnership with the Irish Heart Foundation as part of their ‘Before Damage is Done’ blood pressure measurement campaign.
You can view all our media coverage here.
