A Fine Gael TD has called for an “urgent” review into rules governing the sale of codeine as new figures reveal that over one million prescriptions were dispensed through public drug schemes in 2022.
The figures do not, however, include privately dispensed prescriptions or over the counter sales for the opiate drug.
The figures were released to Fine Gael TD Colm Burke following a parliamentary question. The response from the HSE showed the number of prescriptions issued through the three main public drug schemes. This includes the General Medical Services Scheme, the Drugs Payment Scheme and the Long-Term Illness Scheme.
