asked the Minister for Health if he stated at a recent conference of the Pharmaceutical Union in Galway that there had been irregularities in the supply through pharmacists of incontinence sheets; the number of pharmacists that he suspects were involved in the irregularities; if any prosecutions will be taken in regard to the matter; if the matter has been referred to the Garda authorities or to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if he intends to take any further action on the matter.
Written Answers. - Incontinence Sheets Supply Irregularities.
512.
In my address to the Annual General Meeting of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union in May, I referred to irregularities in the supply of incontinence sheets. It is not a matter of suspecting pharmacists — the monitoring procedures which identified the problem initially are still continuing. A small number of persons have been referred so far to the Garda for further investigation and it will be a matter for the Director of Public Prosecution to determine whether there should be further proceedings. Since 1 March last, incontinence sheets are no longer being dispensed through retail pharmacies for the General Medical Service.