Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that under recent procedural changes, introduced on the grounds of economy, persons availing of the psychiatric service are required to present prescriptions for medication, provided by that service, to their local general practitioner prior to presentation to a pharmacist in contrast to the previous practice of presenting those prescriptions directly to the pharmacist; the amount of savings to the Exchequer that will accrue from the arbitrary duplication of services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38164/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The HSE has recently brought the arrangements for the supply of medicines to medical card holders attending mental health outpatient clinics in the area of the former Eastern Regional Health Authority into line with those operating in the rest of the country.

In line with clinical best practice it is considered worthwhile that patients have contact with their GP, establishing a valuable link between primary and secondary care services that might otherwise be less frequent. As GPs receive an annual capitation fee per GMS patient there are no extra costs incurred.