Go generic and don’t let GPs over-subscribe

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney has announced that the Government is looking at charging 50 cent per item on a prescription charge because “they know one in six people who get a prescription charge under the GMS is prescribed 10 or more items”.

Why are our GPs giving out 10 items or more? The minster also referred to the overuse of antibiotics. If the minister wants to save costs, surely the obvious thing to do is to use generic drugs which can ensure at least a 20% reduction on the normal prescription charge and also ensure that GPs don’t over-prescribe, instead of attacking the most vulnerable in our society again.

Pól Ó Deoráin