My Department is currently reviewing policy options in relation to the increased use of generic medicines in the community drugs schemes. I assure the Deputy that the quality of patient care will not be adversely affected by any changes to the operation of those schemes. Since 1 January 1993, general practitioners have been allocated an annual target budget for expenditure on drugs for their GMS patients under the indicative drug target saving scheme. Targets are determined by national norms and form part of an agreement between my Department and the Irish Medical Organisation. In an attempt to limit the escalation of the annual costs of GMS drugs, general practitioners participating in the scheme are permitted to accrue savings under this scheme which can then be used to fund general practice developments at their practice premises for the benefit of their patients. A review of the scheme under taken by Professor Michael Murphy, which was published in July 1997, found that there were changes in prescribing behaviour as a result of the scheme. Some doctors made savings through enhanced prescribing of generic medications and there were no discernible negative effects on the overall quality of prescribing.