Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Health if he will change the requirement on general medical service card holders to seek a new prescription each month in order that it can be brought into line with the less stringent requirement on long term illness card holders, who are only required to submit themselves to a clinical review once every six months, thus minimising general practitioners workloads and reducing the burden on patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25436/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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A repeat prescription facility was introduced to the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme in March 1991.

Under this facility, prescriptions for certain drugs and medicines may be renewed on a three monthly, rather than a monthly, basis. Patients who are stabilized on their medication do not need to visit their General Practitioner (GP) every month in order to have their prescriptions renewed. The facility to change prescriptions from monthly to quarterly for suitable patients provides efficiencies for GPs and patients, by reducing unnecessary consultations and journeys to the surgery and pharmacy.