asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a statement made by a doctor of the Drugs Advisory and Treatment Centre at Jervis Street Hospital, Dublin (details supplied) that there were 30 doctors in the country who could be accused of prescribing addictive drugs a little too liberally to young people and that there were six doctors in Dublin and four in the Southern Health Board region who are quite blatantly prescribing such drugs for young people, the action he proposes to take in this matter under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prescribing Addictive Drugs.
16.
I have seen the statement referred to by the Deputy.
Officers of my Department have discussed the statement with the doctor who made it. They have also had discussions with members of the staff of the Pharmaceutical Society and the officer in charge of the Drugs Squad. Inquiries are proceeding in relation to the allegations of overprescribing and if these appear to be well founded I will then take appropriate action under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977.
Questions Nos. 17 to 20 are for written reply.