asked the Minister for Health if he will state if there is a general shortage of medicines for dispensaries; if he is aware that, owing to the shortage of medicines at Birr dispensary, the poor who attend there find it necessary to purchase medicines out of their sickness benefit allowance; and whether he will take immediate steps to see that adequate supplies of medicine are made available for this dispensary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medicines for Dispensaries.
There is no general shortage of medicines for dispensaries. Owing to the present labour dispute in the wholesale drug trade temporary difficulty may be experienced by local authorities in obtaining full supplies. I understand, however, that the official contractors have made arrangements to supply dispensary medical officers with essential items urgently required. It appears that there is a shortage of medicines at Birr dispensary at the moment. An order for medicines for this dispensary is now in the hands of the official contractors who are arranging to issue a supply of the more essential items with the minimum delay.
Is the Minister aware that citizens of Birr who are in receipt of national health insurance have been obliged to purchase medicine at the local chemists out of the moneys which they receive as sickness benefit? Can the Minister say whether the money so expended by these people will be refunded to them?
I have no information that these people have had to purchase their own medicine.
I shall furnish the Minister with that information and I ask him to look into the matter.