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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Nov 1998

Vol. 497 No. 3

Written Answers - Psychiatric Drugs.

Michael Noonan

Question:

129 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether the allocations in respect of drugs for psychiatric patients by the health boards are adequate in view of the fact that major advances in treatment of schizophrenia have been made, with more effective expensive medications being used to replace older antipsychotics; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to inadequate budgets psychiatrists are not prescribing the newer safer antidepressants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25067/98]

The prescribing of medication for psychiatric conditions is solely a matter for the clinician concerned and there is no interference in the clinician's professional right and duty to prescribe as he or she deems appropriate. I am not aware that consultant psychiatrists are experiencing difficulties in prescribing the newer antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs.

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