Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 1991

Vol. 412 No. 1

Written Answers. - Prescribed Drugs Budget.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

117 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the GMS payments board wrote to general practitioners in August setting a budget for drugs for the period May to November; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this has caused major difficulties for doctors who had prescribed up to or close to the budgetary limit by the time they received the letter from the GMS payments board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

In the course of the 1990-91 review of the GMS contract it was agreed, between the Irish Medical Organisation and management that, as part of a co-ordinated drugs costs strategy, indicative prescribing targets would be determined for all doctors in the GMS scheme. It was further agreed that these budgets would be based on the best information available and that they would be refined and adjusted annually. This process commenced with the circulation to doctors last August of targets for a six month period this year, prior to the circulation of the annual targets for 1992 which will be determined following discussion with the Irish Medical Organisation.

This arrangement which is voluntary would not cause difficulties for doctors as the target figures are indicative and will not interfere with the doctor's right to prescribe as he or she considers necessary. Indicative drug targets will facilitate general practitioners in objectively assessing their overall prescribing levels with comparable practices.