Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 5

Written Answers. - Drugs Refund Scheme.

John Cregan

Question:

302 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason tablets (details supplied) are not available over the counter free of charge to medical card holders; if the cost of these tablets are reimbursed to medical card holders by the health board; if so, if he will consider including these tablets on the list of medicines available to medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14288/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

A common list of reimbursable medicines was introduced for the general medical services scheme, GMS, and the drug payment scheme, DPS. This list ensures equity between the GMS and DPS in relation to the range of medicines paid for by the State under both schemes. The common list is subject to ongoing review and amendment on a monthly basis, as new products become available and deletions are notified.

For any item to be included in the common list, it must comply with a published list of criteria. These include authorisation status where appropriate, price and, in certain cases, the intended use of the product. In addition, the product should ordinarily be supplied to the public only by medical prescription and should not be advertised or promoted to the public. In the interests of public health certain drugs and medicines are subject to prescription control. The product referred to by the Deputy is one such product. However, the Deputy will be pleased to know that there a number of versions of the product available on prescription to medical card holders free of charge.