I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 172 together.
Following the recommendations of the HSE Medicines Management Programme, and to help women who experience hyperemesis gravidarum (a severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy), since 1st January 2023, reimbursement support for Cariban® (doxylamine/pyridoxine) has been made available under an exceptional arrangement on an individual patient basis where consultant initiated. Hyperemesis gravidarum is expected to affect about 1% of the pregnant population.
There were no applications under this arrangement for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 or 2022.
As of 10th February 2023, the number of applications received by the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) stands at 384. The number of applications to date is in line with expectations.