Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 3

Written Answers. - GMS Drugs Cost.

Andrew Boylan

Question:

94 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Health whether he or his Department has carried out an analysis of the reduction in drug prescribing costs in a number of GMS practices throughout the country in respect of the last 12 month period for which figures are available; if so, if such an analysis has indicated a reduction in prescribing, a reduction in over-prescribing, an increase in hospitalisation arising from under-prescribing or any other reason not referred to above which could have made a major contribution towards achieving a reduction in prescribing costs in the 12 month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

An examination is currently under way to determine how savings were effected by individual doctors, and the Deputy will appreciate that I will not be in a position to give a detailed reply until this examination is completed.

I can, however, indicate that from a preliminary examination of the results of the 1993 indicative drug target scheme, it appears that savings by doctors were effected through a variety of measures. Most obviously, information available from the GMS payments board has indicated that there was a significant shift in prescribing towards an increased use of generic and less costly versions of drugs over the course of 1993.

In addition, the aggregate evidence available would suggest that, in accordance with the prescribing advice made available throughout the year, doctors have begun to revise their practices in relation to both the dosage and volume/duration of medicines prescribed.