asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the statement (details supplied) attributed to the programme manager, Eastern Health Board, that nearly £4 million is wasted by doctors over-prescribing drugs, with half that amount being spent on tranquillisers, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Over-Prescribing of Drugs.
181.
I have seen the report to which the Deputy refers. The statements made by the programme manager represent a personal opinion and in my view could not be medically substantiated.
I am aware however that there is a volume of medical opinion which holds that there is currently an over-reliance on drugs and that if some of the money spent on drugs could be redirected into other services it could be used to better advantage.
The Irish Medical Association in conjunction with the Health Education Bureau have organised an international symposium on Alternatives to Drugs on 16 February next in Dublin to focus attention on this very question.