Vol. 535 No. 1
323 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to reform the drug payment schemes introduced by his predecessor; his views on whether this scheme represents an unnecessary burden in that it increased the fee from £32 to £42 per month and restricted access to a large number of drugs covered under the previous drug scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11834/01]
325 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will supply a list of drugs available under the old drug payment scheme which are not available under the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11836/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 325 together.
The drug refund and drug cost subsidisation schemes were merged into the drugs payment scheme with a threshold of £42 per month per individual or family unit on 1 July 1999. The primary aim of the scheme is to bring about important improvements over the previous schemes and the scheme is designed to be more streamlined, to be user-friendly and to significantly improve the cash flow situation for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
With regard to the increase in the threshold, the position is that the new threshold refers to family expenditure as opposed to the previous threshold in the DCSS which related to individual expenditure. In addition, I would point out that there has been no increase in the thresholds for the DCSS or DRS since 1991.
A common list of reimbursable items was introduced for the general medical services scheme and the drug payment scheme to ensure equity regarding the products reimbursed by the State under both schemes. Prior to the introduction of the common list, medicines which were not available to medical card holders under the general medical services scheme – generally over the counter products such as cough bottles, vitamins, shampoos etc. – were reimbursable under the drugs cost subsidisation and drugs refund schemes. It is not possible to provide a comprehensive list of these medicines as the old schemes, particularly the drug refund scheme, were not computerised, and the list of items reimbursed is not available. I am satisfied that the common list provides a comprehensive range of the most modern therapies. My Department is currently reviewing the list with a view to making some additional products available. The list is subject to ongoing review and amendment as new products become available, and is updated on a monthly basis.
324 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to reform the drug payment scheme in order that tablets (details supplied) used for the treatment of psoriasis and previously available under the old drugs payment scheme, will be made available again under the revised scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11835/01]
The drug refund and drug cost subsidisation schemes were merged into the drugs payment scheme with a threshold of £42 per month per individual or family unit on 1 July 1999. The primary aim of the scheme is to bring about important improvements over the previous schemes and the scheme is designed to be more streamlined, to be user-friendly and to significantly improve the cash flow situation for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
A common list of reimbursable items was introduced for the general medical services scheme and the drug payment scheme to ensure equity in relation to the products reimbursed by the State under both schemes. The list is subject to ongoing review and amendment as new products become available and is updated on a monthly basis. I am satisfied that the common list provides a comprehensive range of the most modern therapies.
In order for any item of medicine to be included in the common list, it must comply with a published list of criteria. These range from the uses for and licensing of medicines to the pricing of products. One of the criteria stipulates that the product should be one which may be used under the supervision of a general medical practitioner and which is not restricted to hospital or medical specialist use. In the case of Deltasoralen tablets, the product authorisation issued by the Irish Medicines Board states that it should be given by specialists with adequate controlled facilities familiar with the precautions necessary. My Department is therefore of the view that this product is more suitable for use in a hospital setting. In general over the counter products such as Tarpomade are not included in the common list.
Question No. 325 answered with Question No. 323.
