Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Where a person develops epilepsy and is treated with a generic drug which works for him or her, what is proposed is fine. What is at issue is the interchangeability of drugs. Many people with epilepsy have not seen a consultant and are managed by a general practitioner who may not have the range of knowledge of a specialist in the field. I take issue not with the Irish Medicines Board approving particular types of drugs for use but with the interchangeability of drugs. We are giving far too much responsibility to pharmacists and general practitioners in terms of the requirement to write particular words on prescriptions. This is risky. What if the Minister of State is wrong? What if we are giving them too much responsibility? What we are seeking is certainty in this regard.

See this speech in context