Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 February 2014
16. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of GP dispensing facilities that have been withdrawn by the primary care reimbursement services since the start of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6937/14]
View answer71. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason the PCRS is unilaterally withdrawing dispensing facilities from GPs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6936/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 71 together.
The General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme provides for general practice dispensing services in certain limited circumstances where there is no pharmacy in an area and clients are unable to access prescribed drugs or medicines from retail pharmacies. In 2013, the HSE conducted a review of doctor dispensing arrangements, the purpose of which is to improve standards and accountability for stock orders. The review identified where doctor dispensing arrangements are no longer required as pharmacies have opened in particular geographic areas or where doctors are no longer providing a dispensing service as patients are accessing medicines in local pharmacies.
At the time of the review, there were 94 dispensing doctors nationally. The HSE considered that 34 of these were no longer providing dispensing services. Of these 34 doctors, 17 asked the HSE to review its decision and offered some further information which is being considered by the HSE. The 17 doctors who did not request the HSE to review its decision had their dispensing status removed at the end of January 2014.
From 1st April 2014, new arrangements will be introduced by the HSE, including standards for doctor dispensing and the introduction of a computerised on line system to record items dispensed. Following engagement with the Irish Medical Organisation, the HSE will make the appropriate software available to the relevant GPs.
