Vol. 509 No. 6
316 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that free medication for the control of hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia is not uniformly available in health board regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21931/99]
320 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will ensure that health boards supply equal treatment to persons with diabetes who also suffer from hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia as a result of their diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22138/99]
340 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of patients regarding the apparent disparity between health boards regarding the delivery of treatment to people with diabetes who suffer from hypertension and hypercholestrerolaemia as a result of the diabetes; and if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that most health boards do not generally allow free medication to control these conditions to be written on the green long-term illness booklet prescription form used by people with diabetes; the plans, if any, he has to direct health boards to grant free medication to those patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21285/99]
358 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that most health boards do not generally allow free medication to control hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia to be written on the green long-term illness booklet prescription form used by people with diabetes but the health boards will in cases where a special case is made by a patient's consultant physician allow free medication for these conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21501/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 316, 320, 340 and 358 together.
Under the Health Act, 1970, a health board may make arrangements for the supply without charge of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to persons suffering from a prescribed disease or disability of a permanent or long-term nature. Diabetes mellitus and diabetes inspidus are among the conditions prescribed under the Act. Drugs which are directly related to the treatment of these conditions are made available free of charge. The operation of the scheme is primarily a matter for the relevant health board and information on the operation of the scheme with regard to the provision of drugs for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia and hypertension arising from diabetes has been sought from each health board. I will communicate directly with the Deputies when comprehensive information is to hand from all health board areas.
