asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that an increasing number of people who suffer from arthritis are unable to purchase tablets for the relief of pain; and if the necessary steps will be taken to have free tablets supplied to such patients.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Arthritis.
11.
I am not so aware. Any person who cannot provide from his own resources the drugs or medicines he requires may, of course, ask the appropriate Health Board to supply, or assist him in obtaining, such drugs or medicines.
I do not consider that the costs involved would justify special arrangements, apart from the foregoing, for arthritic patients.
Does the Minister appreciate that there are many sufferers from this disease who are reluctant to apply for medical cards or avail of treatment under Health Board or anything like that? I put it to the Minister that it is necessary in cases where these sufferers are properly certified by a medical practitioner as suffering from this trouble, that tablets should be made available to them free of charge because many people are reluctant to disclose——
I do not intend to provide that service.