asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that in some local health authority areas the public is still to a great extent unaware of the position outlined in his recent circulars to health authorities stating that help in payment for drugs may in certain circumstances be extended to the middle income group; and if he will make a well-publicised statement about this service so as to clarify the situation and make the members of this group aware of their rights in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drugs and Medicines.
3.
I am aware that in the years 1962 and 1963 the number of persons assisted in the manner referred to in the question was relatively small in some health authority areas.
In July last, I had a circular letter issued to health authorities asking them to review their local arrangements and, again, to take all reasonable steps to ensure that persons in their areas who might wish to apply for medicines and drugs as hardship cases were made aware of the facilities. The operation of the service, as the Deputy will appreciate, is primarily a matter for the individual health authorities who, with their specialised knowledge of their areas, should be in the best position to assess the local situation and to consider the special measures, if any, required to ensure that the public are made aware of the fact that the service is available.
Following the issue of the circular, health authorities adopted a variety of methods to bring the existence of the service to notice. Some notified all doctors practising in their area. In other cases, the matter secured publicity through discussion at a meeting of the authority. In some cases, an advertisement was published in the local papers. In many cases more than one of these methods was employed.
Early in the new year I shall have a report on the operation of the service during 1964 and at that stage I propose to consider what further action, if any, is necessary.