Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
429. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason a one month prescription of medication is taken to mean a 28 day supply; if there has been any change towards this manner of dispensation in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10591/14]
View answerThere is no legislation or agreement that deals with the quantity of prescription tablets to be included in a monthly pack. This is at the discretion of the marketing authorisation holders. The standard industry practice across Europe is for prescription tablets to be packaged in sizes of 28, as this number has been found to be convenient for patients. Where the quantity of a preparation prescribed does not correspond with an original pack size and it is not feasible to supply the exact amount prescribed, the pharmacist may, in the exercise of his or her professional judgement and bearing in mind the nature of the product and his or her statutory obligations, supply the nearest pack size to the quantity prescribed.
