Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin is correct that I am not questioning the professionalism of pharmacists. I believe they do an exceptional job. However, the difficulty is that in many cases what will happen is that GPs will prescribe the active ingredient and the pharmacist will fill the prescription based on the cheapest generic drug available.

The pharmacist is complying with the law in this area as it currently stands and as envisaged in the guidelines set out by the Irish Medicines Board. The difficulty is that it is not actually explained in some isolated instances. I do not really have a concern if somebody is getting a once-off prescription for one or two medications. I am talking about the many cases in which an elderly person - perhaps a relative - is picking up the prescription. If a change is made all of a sudden to a branded product that he or she has always been on and is used to, he or she might get confused. As we introduce this new regime, we need to take time to acknowledge that it will present a particular challenge to a particular cohort of the population. Deputy Ó Caoláin was right to point out that this does not relate to pharmacists only, as it also relates to GPs. I will come to that when we reach section 13.