Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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475. To ask the Minister for Health the process in respect of prescribing and dispensing Ritalin; the duration of usual prescriptions; the restrictions there are on pharmacists dispensing numbers of individual Ritalin doses; if this varies by region in respect of dispensing or prescribing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39894/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ritalin contains the active ingredient methylphenidate hydrochloride. Methylphenidate is indicated as a part of a comprehensive treatment programme for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children aged 6 years and over when remedial measures alone prove insufficient. Treatment must be under the supervision of a specialist in childhood and/or adolescent behavioural disorders.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977, as amended, methylphenidate is a schedule 2 controlled drug and as such can only be supplied on foot of an original valid prescription which must be physically presented to and reviewed by the pharmacist prior to dispensing to the patient. The prescription must be signed and dated by the prescriber. The prescriber must be a registered practitioner with an address within the State. The prescription must specify, in the prescribers own handwriting: full name and address of the person for whom the prescription is issued; form and strength, where appropriate, of the preparation; amount/total quantity prescribed in words and figures and the dose to be taken. Methylphenidate prescriptions must also contain the name, address and telephone of the practitioner and detail the type of practitioner.

A prescription for a methylphenidate is valid for 14 days from the date of issue indicated on the prescription. Repeat prescriptions are not permitted. However, prescriptions may be prescribed and dispensed in instalments, if the practitioner specifies the amount of the instalment and the intervals at which the instalments is to be dispensed. The first instalment must be dispensed within 14 days and no instalment may be supplied later than two months after the date specified on the prescription. A pharmacist supplying a controlled drug must be satisfied as to the identity of the patient and the signature of the practitioner. Dispensed medication may only be supplied to the patient or to a bona fide representative of the patient.

All prescriptions for Ritalin are required to comply with the legislative requirements outlined above.