Pat Upton
Question:71 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of working days lost each year in view of flu-related illness; and the cost to the economy. [18842/95]
Written Answers. - Flu-related Illnesses.
, Limerick East): Information on the number of working days lost each year as a result of flu-related illness is not available in the Department.
Pat Upton
Question:72 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health the total amount of money spent on remedies for flu and colds in the most recent year for which figures are available; and the corresponding figure for expenditure on these remedies through the General Medical Service. [18843/95]
, Limerick East): Expenditure on remedies for flu and colds would normally relate to non-prescription, over-the-counter medicines. The public health service does not provide for reimbursement of non-prescription, self-medication products and consequently I am not in a position to provide the information requested.
Expenditure under the General Medical Services Scheme on products which would be classified for colds and flu are also used as remedies for a wider range of other conditions and it would be misleading to interpret this expenditure as being solely in relation to colds and flu.