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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Dec 1988

Vol. 385 No. 2

Written Answers. - OTC Medicines.

38.

asked the Minister for Health if he has any proposals to review the list of OTC medicines which have previously been excluded from free availability under the General Medical Service in view of the possibility of more expensive similar medicines being utilised.

There is no evidence to suggest that there has been any widespread recourse to expensive prescription only products solely as a result of the delisting of OTC items.

The items which are excluded from the GMS scheme are quite inexpensive to purchase. As the term "over the counter" implies, these products are available for retail purchase without any need for a doctor's prescription. Many of these products are sold in a variety of retail outlets, including pharmacies, supermarkets, etc.

Very significant savings have accrued to the Exchequer in each year since these products were delisted.

In the context of new arrangements for the provision of medical services in the GMS, I understand that the working group, established by the IMO and by the Department to prepare a national drugs formulary, may propose the restoration of a specific limited number of OTC items to the GMS list. I will give due consideration to any such proposals which may be made, as part of an agreed mechanism to secure more cost-effective prescribing in the GMS.

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