Hospital officials sound warning over ‘patient capping’ plans
Due to financial constraints being imposed on the system, the latest CUH board meeting minutes noted that a series of initiatives are being considered in Cork in an attempt to bring down oncology drug expenses in the region.
The potential plans include an audit of oncology drug use — which has increased in cost by 50% since 2005, in Cork, the centralisation of a pharmacy service in the city centre, and the possible capping of the number of outpatients seen at Mercy University Hospital’s oncology unit.