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

The Minister of State has made the argument for me. As he notes, a particular drug can be used for a number of purposes. For the pharmacist to explain to the patient, he or she needs to know what the drug is for in the first place. He or she must ring the GP to find out. What we are talking about is the GP stating, possibly in generic form, what the medicine is for, but, at least, the patient would know why he or she was taking a particular medicine. It would significantly improve compliance and the information should be provided on the label to provide that clarity because the Minister of State is right - drugs can be used for different purposes. We heard that argument in respect of anti-epileptic drugs which are used to treat a series of neurological conditions, not necessarily just epilepsy. It is important, when one is talking about medicines that are interchangeable, that people know exactly why they are taking a particular tablet which differs from the one they have been taking for the past six years. I again urge the Minister of State to reconsider the amendment on that basis.

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