Vol. 436 No. 3
111 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who is suffering from a severe liver complaint; and if, in view of the history of the case, he will request the Eastern Health Board to assist the family in the cost of the medication.
I have made inquiries of the Eastern Health Board in this case and I understand that the Chief Medical Officer of the board met the family in the last few days and that arrangements have now been made for the person to be seen by a metabolic physician in Temple Street Hospital.
The Deputy will be aware that there is a number of community drug schemes through which assistance can be provided to the family in relation to the cost of required medication. These schemes, however, can only offer assistance towards the cost of allopathic medicines which have been prescribed by a registered medical practitioner and are the subject of a product authorisation. This ensures that the quality, safety and efficacy of the product has been established to the satisfaction of the National Drugs Advisory Board.
