Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 1

Written Answers. - Information on Long-Term Illness Cards.

Tom Moffatt

Question:

167 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Health if he will delete the unnecessary diagnostic information of a patient's condition on long-term illness cards which have to be produced to chemists in order to obtain prescribed medications in view of the fact that knowledge of a patient's illness should be privileged information between doctor and patient. [18543/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I am informed that the practice of including diagnostic information on long-term illness cards varies between health boards and my Department will endeavour to obtain uniformity in the approach taken on this issue consistent with the maintenance of the doctor-patient relationship.