Ivor Callely
Question:121 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if he intends to service the general medical services to include the provision of alternative medicine for medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Alternative Medicine Use.
The General Medical Services scheme provides, without charge, general practitioner services, drugs, medicines and appliances to persons with full eligibility.
General practitioners participating in the GMS are required to provide all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess.
Drugs and medicines which are considered necessary for any person receiving services under the scheme must be covered by a product authorisation and must be examined and accredited by the national Drugs Advisory Board. Alternative medicines and treatments are not eligible for reimbursement under the GMS scheme.
I have no plans at present to change policy within the GMS scheme in regard to any of these matters.