Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I will restate some points I made during the Second Stage debate on the Bill. A prescription is valid nationwide; a prescription written by a doctor can be used in any pharmacy in Ireland. Is the HSE planning to have this stated clearly on prescriptions in the near future? I am aware it is drawing up guidelines in this regard. However, so doing would help remove any misconception or perception of misconduct.

Conflicts of interest are difficult. Previously, I made a point about the prospect of duty free pharmacies to the effect that patients should not be obliged to walk through a pharmacy to either enter or leave a primary care centre. This would be highly intimidating and would not offer choice to patients. There should be no beneficial or economic link between a general practitioner and a pharmacy based in the same premises. However, Members also live in the real world and it is next to impossible for a non-local arriving in Carlow to get an appointment to see a doctor. Moreover, there is a major problem regarding the number of patients per GP in north County Dublin, which I understand to be double the national average. It has been brought to my attention that the high cost of finding a building is a factor in this regard. Although I take the Minister's point, I am also aware that doctors are being told to expand their services, while pharmacists are being urged to have more consultation rooms, etc. While it is all well and good for Members to make such statements in the Chamber, they are not providing any help in this regard. Perhaps the Minister could announce the introduction of a grants package to enable general practitioners to set up in areas that currently lack them or to enable pharmacists to set up in an area or assist them in renovating their premises.

In some respects, Members are throwing out the baby with the bath water. Undoubtedly, there are some dodgy practices, with which no one is satisfied. However, patients should have access to doctors and pharmacists. In certain locations such as Cork city there are problems associated with the high cost of buildings and the increase in population. While one option is being ruled out, it does not appear that an alternative is being provided to incentivise people to become involved in either GP services or the pharmaceutical industry in areas that are crying out for them. In other sectors such as the hotel industry major tax breaks are given. However, nothing similar happens in this case.

Primary care are buzz words. Everyone is being told primary care is the future and that it is not desirable to have people in hospital beds or nursing homes. Although the option of remaining in one's home and community is being advocated, support to so do is not being provided. Although I have no difficulty in supporting the Minister's comments, I do not see how she is backing them up with alternatives.