Written Answers. - Drugs Refund Scheme.
Ivan Yates
Question:
160
Mr. Yates
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he will review the drugs refund scheme for post transplantation operations for renal patients outlined in a recent submission to his Department by the Irish Kidney Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25585/99]
The new drug payment scheme, with a threshold of £42 per month per individual or family unit, was introduced on 1 July 1999 and replaced the drug cost subsidisation scheme and drug refund scheme. The primary aim of the new drug payment scheme is to bring about important improvements over previous schemes and the scheme is designed to be more streamlined, user friendly and to significantly improve the cash flow situation for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
In addition, people who are unable, without undue hardship, to arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. Eligibility for a medical card is solely a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board to decide. In determining eligibility, the local health board will have regard to the financial circumstances and medical needs of the applicant. In this regard, income guidelines are used by health boards to assist in determining a person's eligibility. These guidelines are not statutorily binding and, even though a person's income exceeds the guidelines, the person may still be awarded a medical card if the chief executive officer considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this. Medical cards may also be issued to individual family members on this basis.
A common list of reimbursable medicines has been introduced for the GMS scheme and the new drug payment scheme. The introduction of the common medicines list ensures equity between the general medical services and the new drug payment scheme in relation to the range of medicines paid for by the State under both schemes. The comprehensive range of the most modern therapies required to treat all conditions, which was available on the GMS, continues to be paid for under the new scheme. This common list is subject to ongoing review and amendment on a monthly basis as new products become available. Additions and deletions are notified on a monthly basis.
In general, over the counter products, such as vitamin supplements and cosmetic type products are not available under the schemes. However, if a medical card holder is suffering undue hardship obtaining a medicine which is not covered under the common list, he or she may apply to the chief executive officer of the relevant health board for assistance in such instances.
Representations have been received in my Department on behalf of kidney patients concerning items not included in the common list, notably, phosphate absorbents, vitamin supplements and high factor sun screens. I am pleased to be able to inform the Deputy that with effect from 1 December 1999, calcichew, a phosphate absorbent, will be reimbursable on the common list. On foot of correspondence from the Irish Kidney Association, officials from my Department met recently with representatives from the association and explained that there are no plans to include the other products in the common list.
