Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are concentrating on the issue of anti-epileptic drugs, AEDs, but there is a broader issue in regard to benzodiazepines and many other drugs. The country is awash with these drugs and there is over-prescribing. Let us be clear. They are being prescribed legally, but they then find their way into the underworld where people sell them on. This is an issue of huge concern.

I have made this point before. Pharmacists have spent seven years in college and are highly qualified professionals. As a society, we do not trust them enough.

We always have to look to the GP who prescribes and whose view is sacrosanct. This is fine. Let there be a pecking order, but I passionately believe that pharmacists should have a greater role to play in the health of the nation. They are in every town and village and are a great resource and highly professional and qualified. I am very concerned that medications such as benzodiazepines are being slushed around society at a fierce pace. Documentaries have covered this, but as practising politicians, we are all aware that it is clearly a major issue. Anything that can put checks and balances on prescriptions is a good thing because it might discourage some GPs from over-prescribing, and there is a propensity among some GPs to over-prescribe these medicines, particularly benzodiazepines.