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Health
GPs warn of major problems in changes to prescribing psychiatric drugs
Up to 48 hour delays predicted for greater Dublin area patients under the new scheme, but the HSE says it’s already in place in the rest of the country.
DOCTORS ARE WARNING that changes to the way psychiatric drugs are prescribed to patients will lead to huge inconvenience and delays.
Until last year patients in the old Eastern Regional Health Authority area could take a prescription from a clinic directly to a pharmacy and receive free medicines. However since 1 October patients must now go from the clinic to their GP and then to a pharmacy.
Doctors have expressed serious concern and have told the Medical Independent that this added requirement can mean a delay of up to 48 hours, and also adds to their workload.
The HSE says the move brings the greater Dublin area in line with arrangements already in place in the rest of the country.
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