asked the Minister for Health why an Irish product (name supplied) costing 50p which contains 23 per cent protein and 5 per cent calories per gram was withdrawn from the general medical list of drugs and medicines in favour of a foreign product (name supplied) costing £3 which contains 50 per cent protein and 4 per cent calories per gram; and if, in view of the fact that some doctors regard the Irish product as being at least as good as the foreign product taken in the appropriate amounts, he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Irish Protein Product.
459.
The Health Act, 1970, provides that a health board shall make arrangements for the supply without charge of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances. The Irish product mentioned is a food and may not therefore be prescribed as a drug or medicine. Hence it is not available under the general medical services.
I have already indicated, in reply to a previous question regarding this product that if a doctor recommends it as a food supplement for an eligible patient health boards have authority to provide it and do so. In at least one health board area it may be issued to patients by public health nurses without the need for a doctor's recommendation.
Both products mentioned were being prescribed when the re-organised general medical services came into operation. When it was clearly established that the Irish product was a food—and this was widely indicated by the manufacturers—it was withdrawn from the prescribable list.
There is another product of the same manufacturers which may be prescribed under the scheme for protein deficiency.