Vol. 550 No. 5
130 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the circumstances in which a nebuliser can qualify for relief under the drugs refund scheme; and if he will make provision in order that sufferers of long-term conditions such as emphysema and asthma who have a prescription for a nebuliser can access relief under the scheme. [9667/02]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the drug payment scheme with a threshold of €53.33 which replaced both the drug cost subsidisation scheme, DCSS, and the drug refund scheme, DRS, with effect from 1 July 1999.
The provision of equipment such as nebulisers to both medical card and non medical card holders is a matter for the relevant health board. If the Deputy is aware of a particular instance where difficulty is being experienced, he should contact the chief executive officer of the relevant health board.
