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Health Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020

Tuesday, 6 October 2020

Ceisteanna (722)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

722. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his views on legislating to allow nurses to prescribe controlled drugs and opiate substitution therapy, for example, methadone and buprenorphine, as was previously done on controlled drugs in areas such as palliative care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28684/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

During the last quarter of 2019, and following a request from the HSE, my Department commenced an evaluation process of the benefits or otherwise of introducing nurse prescribing of opiate substitution therapy (OST). Since then a number of stakeholder consultations have taken place. This work was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic and will be resumed as soon as possible.

Should this evaluation conclude that there is a service user benefit to be gained by enabling nurses to prescribe OST, my Department will consider what changes might be required to Schedule 8 of The Misuse of Drugs Regulations, 2017. This extended scope could then be included as part of the HSE's National Nurse and Midwife Medicinal Product Prescribing Policy.

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