Vol. 541 No. 2
568 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he plans to carry out an examin ation and analysis of the differences between the drugs prescribed by general practitioners for private patients and those covered by the General Medical Service. [22070/01]
The issue of the prescribing of medicines for patients, whether private or medical card holder, is an individual clinical decision taken by the general practitioner based on the symptoms of the presenting patient.
I have not asked any person or organisation to provide any analysis on the lines suggested. However, a major review of the IDTS scheme was carried out in July 1997 by Professor Michael Murphy of University College, Cork, and one of his main conclusions was that there was no discernible negative effects on overall quality of prescribing by doctors participating in the IDTS scheme
If the Deputy is aware of any person who feels he/she may have been treated less favourably by a prescribing GMS doctor when contrasted with a private patient, I would be most anxious that he forward the details to me for investigation and for appropriate action if this is deemed necessary.
The issue of prescribing is one of many issues kept under ongoing review in consultations between my Department and the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish College of General Practitioners. In addition, the Deputy may wish to note that funding is provided annually by my Department from the GP development fund to the National Pharmaconomics Centre at St. James's Hospital.
