asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to criticism expressed on a Radio Éireann interview by an eminent medical man, regarding the low standards of prescribing being practised by some doctors and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Prescriptions.
6.
I did not myself hear the programme in question but I understand that the doctor's comments regarding prescriptions related generally to those drugs which tend to be habit-forming. It is, in fact, an area of medicine in which I have taken a considerable interest and upon which I have spoken publicly on appropriate occasions. For example, I dealt with the matter in considerable detail in introducing the Estimates of my Department on the 8th April last— columns 1058-1060 of the Dáil Debates of that date.
Having regard to the fact that this statement was made and the doctor in question said he was speaking on behalf of a considerable number of doctors, would the Minister not think it might be opportune to negotiate with the medical union as to the exact import of the comment in question?
I have told members of the Irish Medical Association and those members who are associated with the Drugs Advisory Committee that I should like to discuss with them this problem which has been commented upon not only by me but by physicians of repute in this country as well as in other countries.