Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will take up the opportunity offered by the Minister of State. From a clear recall of the information provided to me that instanced the parliamentary question in the first instance, I can state that it was a single item of same strength and that it was anticipated to be available as a single item by the pharmacist filling the general practitioner's prescription. That it is not available as a single tablet in the milligrams prescribed is not the problem of either the doctor or the patient, but the patient presenting is being penalised on the double. That is my view but I will not labour it. I will provide the Minister of State with the specific information in the instance that has been brought to my attention. I urge that on accepting that it is simple and straightforward, there is a need for the position to be clarified and the pharmacy sector should be advised that the double charge in these particular cases is not permissible.

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