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THE MAXIMUM LEGAL validity of prescriptions has been extended from six to 12 months.
This means that doctors can now write prescriptions for patients that are valid for up to 12 months.
From September, patients can ask their pharmacists to extend prescriptions from six months up to a maximum of 12 months, if they have a prescription dated 1 March, 2024, or later.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is now encouraging people to talk to their prescribers when their current prescription is due for renewal to see if they are suitable for an extension.
The new measures aim to provide flexibility for patients, reduce the demand on primary care services and utilise the expertise of pharmacists to improve the provision of healthcare.
It could also reduce costs for patients who do not receive free GP care via a GP Visit Card or a medical card.
The change was recommended by the Expert Taskforce to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacists.
It is the first recommendation of the Taskforce, which was established in July 2023.
Minister Donnelly said that pharmacists have “a very important role to play” and he is pleased to give them the “authority” to make more decisions around patient prescriptions, “subject to their professional judgement”.
As of last summer, the government was examining other proposals that would allow for pharmacists to assess and treat minor illnesses.
There are currently no details available on what illnesses may be covered under the proposed scheme and it’s understood that the project is still at an early stage.
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The cost of prescriptions vary wildly between pharmacies and it’s almost impossible to shop around, best kept secret/scam in town.
@Jimmy Wallace: I’m not advertising….but pharmacy warehouse are definitely the cheapest for prescription, obviously depends where you live.
@Dave Grant: I thought the cost of a prescription was fixed?? €1 or €1.50 per item?
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: I think that’s for medical card holders? The working ‘joe’ pays full whack….. hence the medical card holder doesn’t need/ any incentive to shop around
@Jimmy Wallace: Pure pharmacy good prices on some mrds
The health system is in a right mess,this is just like giving up and saying do what you like I don’t care anymore.
@John Sleator: Really, it just validates prescriptions for 12 months and reduces the need to attend a GP .
It will help those with long term illness and who needs medication.
Going to the GP for a script renewal is a waste of time and money.
I really can’t understand why anyone would see this as a negative.
@Jimmy Wallace: Easy money for doctors, and it took months to convince my wife’s doctor that getting them to drop it into pharmacy which is a 1 minute walk, eventually they did..
@Cornelius Paul O Mahony: Depends on the condition, as in many cases continued ‘self-medicating’ can be harmful. In my own case (blood-pressure) I will continue to go every 6 months to ensure it is still under control. Going to your GP is not always a waste of time and money.
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: I think you’re missing the point. Serious medical issues will always need doctor appointments.
Over medication is the responsibility of the patient
Because some people turn every thing into a negative for their own reasons .Wake up and smell the roses not the dog poo !!!
Getting a doctors appointment is almost impossible these days my doctor has a month long wait list which is crazy but the danger here is that medication is going unmonitored. Patients don’t know if things like blood pressure or cholesterol is up or down, and they are just basics. I know of more than 1 case where major medication was prescribed and not monitored correctly
@David Browne: How does medication get monitored now? Surely it’s the patients responsibility to take the medication as prescribed.
Going to a doctor and having them monitor is again a waste of time and resources perhaps that 1 month wait would reduce
Additionally, it’s the pharmacists job to ensure that any medication that is prescribed is appropriate for that patient and will be ,they do employ safeguards when dispensing medicines for example if the initial script was for 6 months a doctor would be notified if someone tried to fill a prescription in month 7.
Pharmacists are highly trained and in my view better trained that the local GP.
@David Browne: Walk in GP service in Limerick. No appointment.
@Cornelius Paul O Mahony: I bought a BP monitor, less than the price of 2 GP visits. Now I email my readings when I ask for the prescription to be renewed. There is no medical skill involved in using it once tou read the instructions
@Denis O Connor: I believe there’s an app now that will give a reading hourly and automatically sends via email to your GP .
Personally, I don’t like the idea, as in the US, some people were refused health insurance due to the data. You’ll ask how they got the data. It’s unknown but believed to be data being sold to 3rd parties and the third parties cleaning it up and selling it to health insurance companies . Your data isn’t really your data in the US
most Gps will only give you 2 month prescription max even for long term illnesses, no way will they risk there 60 euro “money for nothing” with every renewal
@Kenneth Mitchell: If you’re on long-term medication tell them that you want a long-term script
Do you still have to pay the €60 to the Dr.?
@Thesaltyurchin: No, it’s €20/30
@Cornelius Paul O Mahony: Thats pretty decent.
An incompetent minister,do anything but deal with the actual problem of not enough doctors.
have your say