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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Medicinal Products.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

192 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence if Irish soldiers are routinely prescribed a drug (details supplied) for obesity; the total numbers and percentage of the Defence Forces currently in receipt of such prescriptions; and the amount this is costing the Exchequer per annum. [20523/02]

The military authorities advise that the product referred to is a licensed medical preparation available as an oral prescription-only medication in Ireland. It is not used routinely in the Defence Forces but may be prescribed by individual medical officers or attending medical practitioners as an adjunct to the treatment of obesity in accordance with the approved clinical guidelines. There are currently ten Defence Forces personnel being prescribed this product. This represents 0.095% of the Defence Forces at a cost to the Defence Vote of €7,800 per annum.

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