asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to review the decision made in 1982 to delist 900 items under the General Medical Service.

In October 1982 the then Government delisted the vast majority of "over the counter" items from the GMS. That decision arose from a specific recommendation of the Trident Report and was essentially endorsed by that Government's successors in office, with some relatively minor modifications.

The items which remain excluded from the GMS scheme are characterised by the fact that they are quite inexpensive to purchase. As the term "over the counter" implies, these products are available for retail purchase without any need for a doctor's prescription. Many of these products are sold in a variety of retail outlets, including pharmacies, super-markets etc.

Very significant savings have accrued to the Exchequer in each year since these products were delisted. I am monitoring all aspects of the General Medical Service in the context of the negotiations with the IMO in regard to the remuneration of doctors participating in the scheme and in relation to the supply of drugs and medicine to the scheme.

It is generally agreed that the delisting in 1982 was justified. After such a period of time there is evidence that certain drugs which are more expensive are now being prescribed within the GMS by doctors to get over the delisting factor. Would the Minister agree that there is evidence that we have the highest usage of Ponstan per capita anywhere in the world, as well as one of the highest usages of Tagamet and Zantac because they are substitutes for the cheaper drugs which have been delisted? Would the Minister consider delisting those items as well as one or two of the expensive cough mixtures? Is he prepared to consider delisting certain items?

I am monitoring all aspects of the GMS including the supply of drugs, the drugs that are available and those that have been delisted since 1982.