Finian McGrath
Ceist:471 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm whether pharmacists can refuse drug addicts their prescribed methadone treatment. [30088/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 24 September 2008
Ceisteanna (394)
Freagraí scríofa
I presume that the Deputy is referring to the dispensing of methadone by pharmacists under the Methadone Treatment Programme.
In accordance with this Programme, a person who is opiate dependent consents to treatment and may be treated in a specialist drug treatment clinic or in the community. If a person is treated in the community, s/he has a designated GP who prescribes methadone and a designated pharmacist who dispenses methadone. The participation of the opiate dependent person, the GP and the pharmacist in the Methadone Treatment Programme is entirely voluntary.