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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 6

Written Answers. - Asthma Policy.

Bernard Allen

Question:

249 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the arguments put forward by the Irish general practitioners practice asthma group in view of the fact that this group accepts that general practitioners should have a prescribing choice based on good practice guidelines; and if there is discrimination against children on the General Medical Services list as a result. [10641/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

255 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the action, if any, he will take in relation to asthma policy; and if he will reply to correspondence sent by the Irish General Practice Asthma Group. [10648/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

256 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to review the policy on asthma in view of the fact that studies have shown that the General Medical Services bill for nebulised corticosteroids is running at about £2 million and most of this could be replaced by a metered dose inhaler with spacer and face mask resulting in significant cost savings. [10649/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

257 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to review policy on asthma, particularly in view of the fact that the present guidelines point out that most children under five cannot perform the respiratory gymnastics needed to use a dry powder or metered dose inhaler reliably, it is estimated that up to 60% of Irish children are not meeting good control criteria for asthma and the Department refuses to make appropriate delivery systems available to General Medical Services patients. [10650/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 249, 255, 256 and 257 together.

My Department has no record of having received correspondence from the Irish general practice asthma group on the matters referred to by the Deputy. If the Deputy will let me have details of any submissions made in the matter I will have them examined.

A common list of reimbursable medicines is in place for the general medical services scheme and the drug payment scheme to ensure equity in relation to the range of medicines paid for by the State under both schemes. 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. The inclusion of spacer devices with face mask attachments on the common list is at present under consideration by my Department.

The Deputy will also wish to know that, in certain circumstances, health boards make special arrangements for the supply of non-reimbursable items, including spacer devices, to medical card holders.

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