asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken in his Department to encourage the more economic use of medicines and the introduction of a scheme for the return from the public of unwanted, unused medicines which may otherwise become a danger for children.
Written Answers. - Economic Use of Medicines.
21.
The primary emphasis on economy in the use of medicines is exercised through the General Medical Services (Payments) Board. Doctors are alerted to their prescribing patterns in comparison with their peers and in the event of apparent excess prescribing by a particular doctor the matter is queried by the board. Support to doctors in analysing their prescribing patterns is also being provided through special projects being funded by the General Medical Services (Payments) Board and the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board with my support.
Primary responsibility for economy in the use of medicines rests, of course, with the prescribing doctors. It is their responsibility to prescribe, appropriate to a patient's need, and to encourage the patient to comply with the directions on prescriptions.
The introduction of a scheme for the return from the public of unwanted unused medicines is not considered necessary at present in view of the ongoing programmes of the Health Education Bureau in encouraging public caution in the use of all drugs as part of its approach to substance abuse prevention and education.