asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently consider allowing a medical item (details supplied) to be obtained, on her medical card, by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who has a fixed welfare income of £32.55 per week.
Written Answers . - Dublin Medical Card Holder .
615.
: The item in question is a laxative which does not require a doctor's prescription. As such, it was excluded from free availability under the general medical service from 1 October last. If the cost of this, or other items not supplied to medical card holders, results in hardship to patients, they may contact their local health board office — in this case Old County Road Health Centre, Crumlin, Dublin 12 — with full details of their circumstances and requirements. Health boards have funds to meet the needs of patients in cases of hardship.