Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 897: To ask the Minister for Health his views on the amount of medication wasted (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23172/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I share the Deputy's concern about the wastage of expensive medicines. For most medicines pharmacists are able to dispense the exact amount required for a month's supply even where products are supplied in packs greater than a month. For a small number of medicines, however, storage conditions are such that dispensing in the original pack is essential.

However, if it is the case that a medicine has been over-prescribed then the patient should make this known to their GP to assist in ensuring that the medication is prescribed in the appropriate amounts.