More than 40 per cent of GPs said they might support with conditions the legal availability of diamorphine to heroine addicts but most would not favour the legalisation of cannabis or the sale of statins over-the-counter in pharmacies.
Some 41 per cent said ‘maybe with conditions’ when asked about supporting the legal availability of diamorphine to heroine addicts. Another seven per cent said ‘yes’, they would support it. However, 50 per cent said ‘no’, they would oppose it.
The latest survey of GPs by Irish Medical Times found more than two-thirds (68 per cent) would not support the sale of statins over-the-counter in pharmacies. Only two per cent said they would support it and 30 per cent said ‘maybe, with conditions’.
Some of those opposed to this made additional comments. They justified their response saying there ‘would not be enough supervision’, ‘there can be side-effects with statins’ and because they are part of a broader programme of treatment.
Asked if they would support the legalisation of cannabis, almost three-quarters (74 per cent) said they would oppose it. A further 14 per cent said they would support it, while 10 per cent had ‘no opinion’.
However, if the option ‘maybe with conditions’ was offered for this question the result may have been different.
The survey was conducted in the last week of July. One hundred GPs selected at random from across the country were polled for their opinions.
About Greg Baxter
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I see this as a very welcome development. What has happened with regard to this issue is illogical – so it is very refreshing to see common sense starting to prevail.