Vol. 454 No. 4
110 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health whether the rise in the General Medical Service drugs bill will make him reconsider the incentive scheme for general practitioners; and, if so, the plans, if any, he has to stop or replace the scheme. [10996/95]
Limerick East): Prior to the introduction of the incentive-based indicative drug target scheme, the average annual rise in the general medical service drug costs was much greater than that occurring since the introduction of the scheme. The rise in the ingredient cost of medicines has dropped from an annual average of 11 per cent prior to the inception of the scheme to an annual average rise of 4 per cent in the past two years. This containment is in no small way directly related to the impact of the scheme and the achievement of more effective prescribing by doctors.
While we must continue to evaluate and refine the scheme, I have currently no plans to stop or replace the scheme which is not only helping to contain drug costs but is also facilitating enhanced patient care.
The savings which are being generated by a significant number of doctors in the scheme are being used for the purpose of improving facilities and services for patients.
