Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Health the reason intravenous drugs such as antibiotics can only be administered in a hospital setting as opposed to nursing homes when there are suitably qualified staff; if he will consider reviewing this in view of the fact that it creates unnecessary hospital admissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9051/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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There is nothing in medicines legislation that requires intravenous antibiotics to be administered in a hospital only.

The Minister for Health and Children introduced primary legislation in 2006 to allow prescriptive authority for nurses and midwives subject to conditions specified in regulations. The focus subsequently has been to successfully implement the initiative by supporting health service providers to introduce medicinal product prescribing based on service need within a national standardised framework and strong clinical governance.

Prescriptive authority for nurses and midwives is founded on a dual framework of medicines legislation, and professional regulation and a programme of implementation has been rolled out since 2007.

I have asked the HSE to supply the Deputy with details of sites where this programme is in progress.