Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2012
590. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the remit of the National Task Force on Prescribing and Dispensing; the membership; the method of recruitment or appointment and remuneration of same; and the accountability and monitoring measures of same [45705/12]
View answerA National Task Force on Prescribing and Dispensing is being established to deal with prescribing and dispensing of existing medicines. It will address this from the perspective of quality and patient safety primarily, however, it can be anticipated that the work of the Task Force will also deliver significant cost savings in terms of achieving more cost conscious prescribing. The Task Force, therefore, provides a platform to secure a sustainable means of improving value for money from the very significant expenditure of the State on prescribed medicines.
The Task Force will be made up of a number of key leaders from the healthcare system. Its terms of reference will require it to oversee and to direct analysis of the very extensive information that is held on prescribing patterns through the Primary Care Reimbursement Service. The work of the Task Force will be wide ranging and include providing advice and guidance and support to prescribers and dispensers to help them improve prescribing practices and assessing the suitability of maintaining supply of certain items with limited efficacy where more appropriate items are available.
