Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

This is a significant point. Patients find it quite intimidating to query a decision by a doctor. In general they are glad to receive advice from doctors and tend to assume that the latter are acting in their best interests. I refer to patients with the courage to question such matters and bring them to the attention of a pharmacist who then brings them to the attention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. It appears that such an action will come to a complete dead end and no joined-up thinking is discernible. What should the society do in such a case? It has no jurisdiction over GPs but a complaint has been received regarding the misuse of drugs. There should be some mechanism in place whereby the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland can pass on such concerns to the Medical Council. This issue must be raised.