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The Department of Health could implement cuts to pharmacy funding within weeks, despite the new pharmacy minister David Mowat announcing that he was putting the cuts on hold earlier this month. 

A letter from Department of Health officials to pharmacy stakeholders states that, after a brief spell of negotiations, a package will be announced in mid-October with implementation due to begin from December.

However, just days before the letter was sent, Mr Mowat had said that funding cuts would be delayed to €make sure that we are making the correct decision and that what we do is going to be right for you, right for the NHS and right for the public.€

National Pharmacy Association (NPA) chairman Ian Strachan said: €In what sense is a short stay of execution 'taking the time to make the right decision'? How is a few weeks' notice adequate time for the pharmacy sector to prepare for the changes? And in what sense is a brief negotiation behind closed doors the ongoing dialogue we were promised just days ago?€ He added that the NPA was writing to the health secretary and his ministers to ask for urgent assurances.