Liz McManus
Question:184 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children when he will include nicotine replacement therapies and anti-smoking medication in the community drugs refund scheme. [12862/01]
Written Answers - Community Drug Schemes.
My decision to make nicotine replacement therapies available to medical card holders was taken on foot of recommendations made by the cardiovascular health strategy group and the advisory forum established to support the task force in the implementation of strategy.
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. In order for a product to be included in the list of reimbursable items, it must satisfy a number of criteria, including 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 would not normally satisfy these criteria, in that they are generally available over the counter, and may be advertised directly to the public. However, in light of the recommendations that have been made to me I have decided, as an exceptional measure, to make the full range of nicotine replacement therapies available on prescription to medical card holders only. Evidence shows that the lower socio-economic groups have a higher incidence of smoking and spend a higher proportion of disposable income on tobacco. Accordingly, it is considered that this group is in greatest need of assistance in helping them to quit the habit. I have no plans to make nicotine replacement therapies available under the other community drug schemes. I should add however that Zyban, which is only available on prescription, is included in the common list and is therefore reimbursable on both the general medical services and community drugs schemes.
Question No. 185 answered with Question No. 180.