An RTÉ Investigates analysis published on 28 September 2026 found that opioid prescribing under Ireland’s General Medical Services (GMS) scheme rose approximately 12% per eligible person between 2018 and 2025, equivalent to an increase from just over 15,400 to more than 17,200 Defined Daily Doses (DDDs) per 1,000 eligible people.1 The State spent €316 million on opioid prescriptions across the GMS, Long Term Illness, and Drugs Payment Scheme during that period, with over 17 million prescriptions recorded. Annual prescription volumes rose 18%, averaging more than two million per year.
Significant regional variation was identified: Cork North Lee recorded the highest rate (over 20,800 DDDs per 1,000 eligible people) while Clare, Cavan-Monaghan, and Galway had the lowest at approximately 13,000. Dublin South-West recorded the fastest growth at 30% over the period.
Blueteq comment: The RTÉ analysis highlights the scale of opioid prescribing under Ireland’s public drug schemes and the absence of structured prior-approval governance for high-volume, high-risk medicines.
References
1. Rise in prescription opioid use under public drug scheme. RTÉ Investigates. 28 September 2026. https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0928/1592952-rise-in-prescription-opioid-use-under-public-drug-scheme/
