Vol. 501 No. 3
87 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will extend the range of nicotine replacement products available to medical card holders in view of the damage to public health caused by smoking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5939/99]
The general medical services scheme provides, amongst other services, prescribed drugs and medicines free of charge to persons who would be unable to provide these items for themselves without suffering undue hardship. A comprehensive range of the most modern prescription therapies are available under the scheme when prescribed by the patient's general practitioner. In order for a product to be included in the scheme, it must satisfy a number of criteria. The criteria states that the product must be such that it is ordinarily supplied to the public only on foot of a medical prescription and that the product should not be advertised or promoted to the public.
Nicotine replacement therapies belong to a category of products that do not satisfy these criteria, in that they are generally available over-the-counter, and most are advertised directly to the public. Accordingly, they are not included in the list of items reimbursable under the general medical services scheme.
I would point out that the Department's health promotion unit has recently conducted a national multi-media anti-smoking campaign to encourage smokers to give up and non-smokers to refrain from taking up the habit. The campaign, which was launched on 1 January 1999, was entitled "Break the Habit for Good" and was developed in co-operation with the Irish Cancer Society and the eight regional health boards. An important element of this initiative is the support being made available to assist those attempting to quit smoking.
In addition, as part of the campaign the Irish College of General Practitioners are working with the health boards with a view to training general practitioners on smoking cessation interventions. This will add considerably to the support available on the ground to people who wish to stop smoking.
