Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the comprehensive reply. The reply deals with the obligation on pharmacists to discuss the medication when a person calls to collect the medication. There is no obligation under the present procedure for the pharmacist to provide a follow-up service. That is what the pharmacists' union is saying. It is saying pharmacists can play a very important part in making sure the follow-up service is there and there is a provision that the person can call back to the pharmacist within a five-day period to discuss any issues that arise with the new medication. That is what pharmacists are saying is worth doing. They are referring particularly to people who are prescribed medication for the first time on which they are likely to remain into the immediate future. Pharmacists are looking for this procedure to be put in place with the HSE and that it would be a co-ordinated approach involving doctors, pharmacists and the HSE.