Limerick East): All persons covered by medical cards, irrespective of their medical condition, are entitled to general practitioner services and prescribed drugs and medicines free of charge. Physeptone prescriptions are included in the list of drugs and medicines reimbursable under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme.
I am satisfied that methadone maintenance programmes are a valid and successful part of an integrated response to the problem of heroin abuse. The report of the expert group on a Protocol for the prescribing of methadone set out recommendations for the involvement of general practitioners in methadone maintenance programmes. Many elements of the Protocol have already been implemented. Most notably, a central treatment list of all patients being prescribed methadone has been established and shows that over 1,900 people are in receipt of methadone. Fifty eight general practitioners are involved in prescribing in the Eastern Health Board.
There has been a reluctance on the part of a number of general practitioners to become involved, however, and in order to address this issue, my Department commenced a pilot methadone Protocol scheme in March 1996. Under this scheme, patients who have been assessed by the health board have been referred regardless of GMS status, to their local general practitioners and methadone is dispensed in local pharmacies free of charge. The scheme is operated in a tightly controlled fashion, with each patient having a treatment card which is held in the local pharmacy for the duration of treatment. The board intends to expand this scheme during 1997.
My Department has established a committee to examine the role of general practitioners and pharmacists in the treatment of drug misuse and its report, which will include a review of present treatment arrangements and recommendations for improving the services to drug misusers, should be provided to me in early April. This will be promptly acted upon.
