Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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1327. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider the implementation of a fully functioning and funded national prescribing service, as a priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12947/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of a national prescribing service is to provide guidance to prescribers in making optimum use of available medicines.

In Ireland, the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) Medicines Management Programme (MMP) performs this role. Their remit is the enhancement of safe, effective, and cost-effective use of medicines in Irish healthcare.

The MMP have identified preferred drugs for prescription in commonly used therapeutic classes including statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and oral anticoagulants. The chosen drugs are recommended to prescribers as a first choice when commencing treatment for suitable conditions. These recommendations follow extensive evaluation which considers clinical efficacy and effectiveness, dosing and administration, drug interactions, side effects, cost, national prescribing trends, and national and international clinical guidelines.

Prescribing guidelines are also developed by the MMP. These are intended to assist prescribers in identifying the optimum medicine for treatment of arising conditions. Guidelines have also been developed in response to shortages to ensure continued treatment and patient safety.

Managed Access Protocols (MAPs) are developed by the MMP. These are used by the HSE to identify those who would benefit most when making a decision to support reimbursement on a patient specific basis. As innovative medicines with high costs are introduced to the market, this enables patients in Ireland who need them to gain access.