asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the considerable delay in supplying drugs and medicines prescribed for blue-card patients at Killester Avenue dispensary, Dublin in cases where the drugs prescribed are not stocked in the Dispensary; if he will state the average number of days delay in filling each such prescription over the last year or other convenient period; and what steps are being taken to remedy this serious situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supply of Drugs and Medicines.
67.
Mr. O'Malley
I am not aware that there is considerable delay at Killester Avenue Dispensary, Dublin, in supplying drugs and medicines.
While the Dublin Health Authority are unable to ascertain from their records the average time taken to supply items prescribed, I am informed by the authority that 90 per cent of the prescriptions presented at the dispensary are filled on the spot. As regards the remaining cases, that is, those in which the items required are not in stock at the dispensary at the time, urgent prescriptions are filled within 24 hours; otherwise the delivery period varies from two to seven days, depending on the nature of the prescription and whether the patient has a supply of the drug or medicine for his immediate use.
Is the Minister aware this is happening in every dispensary in Dublin? Take a trip to the central pharmacy at St. Kevin's Hospital and see there the queues of people who have travelled from all parts of the city to have their prescriptions filled because these medicines and drugs are not available locally.
The Minister has to answer only in relation to Killester.
Mr. O'Malley
If a prescription is required urgently—the Deputy might note this—the patient has the option of going to St. Kevin's Central Pharmacy and getting it there on the same day, or the pharmacist will telephone, if an old person is involved, giving details of the prescription—the drug or the medicine—and this will be sent by post direct, if the patient so desires, reaching the patient the following morning. This service is available in case of urgency.
Do the pharmacists know this?
Mr. O'Malley
Oh, yes. It has often been done. The Deputy should drop down there some time.