Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if new guidelines on the prescribing of nutritional supplements have been finalised; the consultation that has been undertaken on this matter with the dietetics and human nutrition profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45505/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Clinical nutritional products cost the HSE €46 million a year, over €27 million of which is spent on oral nutritional products. Clinical nutritional products include oral nutritional supplements as well as tube feeds, products for metabolic conditions and gluten free foods. The types of oral nutritional supplements most commonly prescribed in the community are ready-made drinks called 'sip feeds'. Audits suggest that up to 50% of prescribed oral nutritional supplements may not be consumed by patients.

The HSE are taking steps to reduce the wastage and inappropriate prescribing of these products while ensuring that patients can access them as required. Savings of €10 million are expected in 2009; €7 million by reducing wastage and inappropriate prescribing and €3 million from competitive tendering arrangements for agreed non-drug items where appropriate.

An initial guidance document has been developed by the HSE and will be circulated in January to prescribers. The HSE will develop a more substantial information pack early in the new year. Further educational initiatives are anticipated in 2009.

The HSE met separately with both the professional body of dieticians, the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute, and representatives of the human nutrition industry in the past fortnight. The Executive will work with all relevant stakeholders in the coming months to develop a more substantive support pack for GPs, which will enable more targeting prescribing of these products in 2009.