asked the Minister for Health (i) the number of people in the State suffering from Addison's disease; (ii) the cost per annum of extending the cover for drugs and medicine afforded to other long-term ailments to include this disease; and (iii) if he will consider extending the coverage of long-term ailments to include this disease.
Written Answers. - Addison's Disease.
513.
It is not possible to state precisely the number of people suffering from Addison's disease, in part because of difficulties in diagnosis. Therefore, it is not possible to state the annual cost of its inclusion in the long-term illness scheme.
Addison's disease is one of a number of conditions which have been considered for inclusion in the scheme, from time to time. I will keep this matter under review in the light of available resources.