Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 18 Dec 1991

Vol. 414 No. 9

Written Answers. - Drugs Prescribing.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

121 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the steps she intends to take to curb the habits of prescribing high cost drugs by the medical profession, particularly where indications are that hospital prescriptions are responsible for significant increases in drug costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The review of the general medical services scheme carried out earlier this year considered the issue of the increased cost of prescribing to the State in some detail. The report of the review group included a number of recommendations in this area which have formed the basis of an integrated strategy adopted by the Government with a view to rationalising the cost and use of prescription drugs and medicines within the State.

This strategy consists of a number of elements, including the use of indicative drug targets, the introduction of a national formulary, the commencement of educational programmes for GPs and the public and the establishment of a national therapeutics advisory committee with responsibility for examining current prescribing practice within the State. This committee is currently considering a range of issues, including the impact of hospital prescribing on costs in the community and the potential for greater co-ordination in this regard.

The measures, which have been phased in over the course of the last year, are expected to bring about a stabilisation of costs in this area. I will be keeping the operation of these measures under review.