Vol. 457 No. 4
23 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the proposed measures, if any, that general practitioners are being asked to take in relation to the provision of services to drug addicts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15476/95]
40 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Health the status of the protocol for the dispensing of methadone between his Department and pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15508/95]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 40 together.
The report of the Expert Group on a Protocol for the Prescribing of Methadone provides the basis for the involvement of general practitioners in the treatment of drug misusers. The protocol recommends that general practitioners should become involved by taking on patients who have been stabilised on a methadone maintenance programme at the community drug centres. The back-up and support of the centre would continue to be available to any such general practitioners.
The expert group's report has been sent to all general practitioners in the Dublin area, with a request that they furnish details of any patients on methadone maintenance for inclusion in a central treatment list. To date 20 general practitioners have provided details of 536 patients on methadone.
