Vol. 572 No. 6
295 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced in relation to the hardship scheme for items not included in the GMS scheme in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area; if his attention has further been drawn to the considerable paperwork involved and the need to find a less offensive title for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24030/03]
The position is that 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.
A medical card holder who experiences financial difficulty in obtaining items not covered on the common list should approach the relevant health board for assistance. As the administration of this scheme – hardship scheme – is a matter for the relevant health board, my Department has asked the chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to investigate the position and reply to the Deputy directly.
