Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am raising this issue because the figures relating to it were brought to my attention yesterday by the Union of Students in Ireland. As Fine Gael's spokesperson on health in the Seanad, I thought it would be appropriate to seek a response in respect of it from the relevant Department.

The Union of Students in Ireland argues that the cost of the relevant medication can vary quite substantially, from €9 to over €45. If one is a medical card holder, one cannot obtain this medication without a prescription.

My argument is that one does not have to get a doctor to diagnose that one needs a prescription. It is a considerable waste of doctors' time if someone goes to see them in order to get a prescription. I am looking at the matter in that context also. There are doctors in universities. If a person has a medical card and they must go to a doctor; the doctor has to give a prescription and his or her time is being taken up. That is a matter I have been asked to raise. I said I would do so at the earliest possible date.