Vol. 453 No. 6
53 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health his views on whether pharmacists should be allowed to dispense drugs prescribed by hospital doctors directly to general medical services patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9907/95]
Limerick East): The Department is having discussions with the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish Pharmaceutical Union for the purposes of introducing an arrangement which would facilitate general medical services patients in having an emergency supply of medicines dispensed by community pharmacies on discharge from hospital. It is envisaged that such an arrangement would apply in circumstances where the patient would not reasonably be expected to have a hospital prescription transcribed to a GMS prescription form by a general practitioner. I am hopeful that these discussions will result in a workable arrangement which will improve services for GMS patients.
