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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1987

Vol. 371 No. 2

Written Answers. - Disposable Syringes.

181.

asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the recent restriction imposed on the supply of low dosage syringes to sufferers of diabetes, who are holders of long term illness booklets, is unsatisfactory in that patients are now expected to use these disposable syringes on more than one occasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

In order to eliminate any wasteful and unnecessary expenditure in this area of the long term illness scheme, the Eastern Health Board decided to quantify the maximum number of disposable syringes and needles to be dispensed to diabetics. Accordingly, from 1 January 1987 the maximum numbers of disposable syringes and needles supplied free of charge in normal circumstances, under the long term illness scheme are:

1. Disposable syringe with integrated needle format — 30 per patient per month.

2. Disposable syringe with detachable needle format — 16 syringes plus 56 needles per patient per month.

This decision was taken following full consultation by the board with diabetes specialists.

The consensus of medical opinion is that a disposable syringe and/or needle can be safely reused on a number of occasions. The reuse of disposable syringes is considered safe as long as usual basic precautions are taken, i.e. the needle is kept covered and the used syringe and needle are kept in a cool place, such as a refrigerator. Some experts suggest that syringes and needles could in fact be safely reused dozens of times. The Eastern Health Board policy means that, at most, one syringe and/or needle will be used four times in all.

The Eastern Health Board will consider applications for extra supplies on their individual merits.

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