Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 8

Written Answers. - Drug Prescribing.

Bernard Allen

Question:

191 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on recent reports in the Irish Medical News dated 19 October, 1992, that he was understood to have clashed with the National Therapeutics Advisory Committee over its proposal to appoint prescribing Fellows and Advisors to promote rational drug prescribing in general practice.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

The National Therapeutic Advisory Committee was established in 1991 by my predecessor as part of an integrated strategy adopted by the Government with a view to rationalising the cost and use of prescription drugs and medicines within the State.

The committee is charged with examining current prescribing practices within the State with a view to making recommendations and advising the Minister on ways and means of encouraging and promoting good prescribing in Ireland. The committee is an advisory body and does not have executive functions in relation to making appointments or making structural changes within the health services.

The committee produced an interim report earlier this year which contained a number of recommendations in relation to the promotion of rational drug prescribing. These recommendations are being considered as part of a range of measures aimed at controlling expenditure on drugs which are currently under review.