Ms Niamh Muldoon:

As I understand it, it is intended that the electronic prescription system would enable access to any prescription immediately, so there should be no delay. Does the Deputy's reference to five days relate to the validity period of a prescription for an antimicrobial product? For example, if a vet issues a prescription for an antimicrobial or antibiotic product, that prescription will only be valid for five days so can only be filled for a period of five days. As I understand it, however, the intention in the development of this electronic prescribing system is that the prescription would be available immediately, so there should be no such delay. Ultimately, however, that electronic prescribing system sits under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, so it would be better informed in that regard.