asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that great difficulties and delays are being experienced by dispensary pharmacists in obtaining supplies of drugs and medicines from the Dublin Health Authority Central Pharmacy; and that this is occasioning great inconvenience to patients; and if he will have this matter investigated with a view to remedying the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplies of Drugs and Medicines.
50.
I am not aware that the present position is as stated by the Deputy. I am informed by the Dublin Health Authority that for a period there were delays in maintaining the services to dispensaries provided by the Central, Pharmacy but that these have been eliminated for some time past.
I can only take it the Minister is not in touch with what is going on. If he consults with dispensary pharmacists, he will find they have considerable difficulty in obtaining supplies of drugs and medicines. There are numerous complaints from patients and I suggest the Minister should look at it again. The same answer was given to me last July. It is not satisfactory.
Mr. O'Malley
The Deputy unfortunately did not listen to my reply. I said that I am not aware that the present position is as stated by the Deputy, that I am informed by the Dublin Health Authority that for a period there were delays in maintaining the services to dispensaries provided by the Central Pharmacy but that these have been eliminated for some time past.
The fact that the Minister said they have been eliminated when I contend that they have not, warrants the Minister looking further into this matter.
Mr. O'Malley
I should like to make it clear that I am not carrying any brief for the Dublin Health Authority. The handling by the Dublin Health Authority of a number of matters was singularly inept and the Chief Executive Officer and the Secretary of the authority have been called to my Department tomorrow morning to discuss the entire matter.