Vol. 447 No. 11
97 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to include renal failure in the long-term illness scheme in view of the fact that patients suffering from this complaint are usually on expensive medication for a long period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1287/95]
Limerick East): The long-term illness scheme entitles persons who suffer from certain specified illnesses to free drugs and medicines which are prescribed in respect of these particular illnesses. The original aim of the scheme was to ensure that persons with a long term disabilty or disease which is treatable by drug therapy would not have to suffer expense in order to obtain their required drugs and medicines.
The needs of people with significant or ongoing medical expenses are now being met by a range of other schemes which provide assistance towards the cost of prescribed drugs and medicines.
Where an individual or a family is subjected to a significant level of on-going expenditure on medical expenses (general practitioner fees, prescribed drugs etc.) due to a long term medical condition such as renal failure, these expenses may be reckoned in determining eligibility for a medical card. In some cases a medical card may issue to a family member on a personal basis. Eligibility for a medical care is solely a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board to decide.
Persons who suffer from an on-going medical condition can avail of the drug cost subsidisation scheme which caters for people who do not have a medical card or long term illness book and are certified as having a long term medical condition with a regular and on-going requirement for prescribed drugs and medicines in excess of an amount per month, currently £32. Persons who qualify for inclusion in this scheme will not have to spend more than £32 in any month on prescribed medication.
Under the drugs refund scheme which covers expenditure by the whole family, any expenditure on prescribed medication above £90 in a calendar quarter is refunded by the health board.
I am satisfied that appropriate and comprehensive support is being provided by the State through the existing range of drug schemes to those with medical expenses arising from conditions such as renal failure. Accordingly, I have no plans to extend the number or range of illnesses currently covered by the long-term illness scheme.
