asked the Minister for Health if he will consider including asthma in the list of designated illnesses covered by the long-term illness drugs scheme.
Written Answers. - Asthma Drugs.
196.
It is estimated that at present some 40 per cent of asthma patients are covered by medical cards and, therefore, receive all their prescribed drugs and general practitioners services, entirely free of charge. Significant ongoing medical expenses are reckoned in determining eligibility for medical card cover.
Persons whose income precludes such eligibility can avail themselves of the benefits of the drugs refund scheme. This scheme ensures that the net expenditure on prescribed drugs and medicines, for an individual or a family, does not exceed £28 per month. Persons insured with the VHI can avail themselves of the benefits applicable to their particular policy. Income tax relief is also available in regard to medical expenses.
It is not possible in the present difficult financial situation to contemplate any extension of the long term illness scheme, as such an extension could only be achieved through the diversion of resources from existing essential services. I believe it is possible to improve the various arrangements described and I am currently looking at ways to improve them.