Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2017
385. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the recent changes implemented by the HSE for dispensing medicines on a weekly basis instead of the previously monthly basis noting the difficulties for elderly persons in particular to access their medicine on a weekly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15307/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, monthly prescriptions are dispensed by pharmacies on a monthly or 28-day basis depending on the type of medicine and the form in which it is packaged by the manufacturer. A prescriber may, on occasion, request that patients are only supplied with one week's supply of medicine at a time, due to the nature of the medicines involved and/or any ongoing safety concerns for the patient. In such circumstances, the prescription would be required to be dispensed by the pharmacy on a weekly basis, and this would be governed by the particular patient's care needs. This is known as phased dispensing. The rules in relation to dispensing have not changed.
Claims by pharmacists for phased dispensing fees are only valid in certain narrow circumstances, where the dispensing on multiple supply occasions is:
- at the request of a patient's physician;
- due to the inherent nature of the medicine in terms of product stability and shelf life;
- where a patient is commencing new drug therapy with a view to establishing patient tolerance and acceptability before continuing on a full treatment regimen;
- in exceptional circumstances where the patient is incapable of safely and effectively managing the medication regimen.
