Liz O'Donnell
Question:130 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, there are to include Epipen medication on the Irish medical card list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16421/95]
Written Answers. - Specific Drug Usage.
Limerick East): The product referred to by the Deputy contains a novel drug intended for self administration in the emergency treatment of allergic reactions.
Medicinal products are provided free of charge to persons covered by medical cards under the General Medical Services — GMS — scheme. Products included in the scheme must conform to certain published criteria. A key criteria is that the product must be the subject of a current product authorisation granted by the Minister for Health. The granting of such an authorisation indicates that the National Drugs Advisory Board is satisfied as to the quality, safety and efficacy of the product concerned.
With regard to Epipen, no application has yet been received by the National Drugs Advisory Board for a product authorisation. In the circumstances, therefore, its inclusion on the GMS scheme cannot be considered until such time as an application for a product authorisation has been made and granted.