Written Answers Nos. 220-228
220. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53135/12]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
221. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when he will appoint a full time paediatric diabetes clinical nurse specialist to be based at Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal, in line with the Health Service Executive's Diabetes Expert Advisory Group policy of having one paediatric diabetic CNS for every 100 children, in view of the fact that Letterkenny General Hospital has approximately 138 children with diabetes attending the service [53136/12]
View answerAs this particular issue is a matter for the Health Service Executive, I have asked them to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
222. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health his plans in relation to epilepsy medication in the Health Bill 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53165/12]
View answer228. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will exclude anti-epilepsy drugs for 37,000 persons with epilepsy from generic substitution legislation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53192/12]
View answer248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the possible dangers to sufferers of epilepsy arising from the use of generic drugs; if any particular approach has been made to the manufacturers of brand name drugs with a view to a price reduction which would make them more competitive in price with the generic product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53355/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 222, 228 and 248 together.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill, the Irish Medicines Board has statutory responsibility for establishing and publishing a List of Interchangeable Medicinal Products.
In deciding whether to add a group of medicinal products to the List of Interchangeable Medicinal Products, the Board must be satisfied that each medicinal product which falls within the group:
(a) has the same qualitative and quantitative composition in each of its active substances as each of the other medicinal products which fall within the group;
(b) is in the same pharmaceutical form as, or in a pharmaceutical form that is appropriate for substitution for, each of the other products in the group; and
(c) has the same route of administration as each of the other medicinal products which fall within the group.
In addition, the Bill provides that the Board is not permitted to add a group of medicinal products to the List of Interchangeable Medicinal Products where, for example, any of the medicinal products cannot be safely substituted for any one or more of the other medicinal products in the group. To further enhance the patient safety aspect of generic substitution, Section 13 of the Bill allows a prescriber to indicate on a prescription that a branded interchangeable medicinal product should, for clinical reasons, not be substituted.
I am satisfied that these provisions address the concerns raised by the Deputies.
It is important to point out that generic medicines must meet exactly the same standards of quality and safety and have the same effect as the originator medicine. All of the generic medicines on the Irish market are required to be properly licensed and meet the requirements of the Irish Medicines Board.
The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 was published on the 13th of July 2012. The Bill completed its passage through the Seanad on Wednesday, the 19th of September, and is currently continuing its passage through the Dáil. An Implementation Group on Generic Substitution and Reference Pricing has been established and it held its inaugural meeting on the 9th of August 2012. The Group met with the Irish Epilepsy Association, amongst others, on the 20th of November as part of its stakeholder meetings.
223. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place to ensure that facilities such as beds and rooms are available for persons and their families travelling from the west to Crumlin Children's Hospital, Dublin, for day treatment [53171/12]
View answerOur Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, remains cognisant at all times of the challenges facing their young patients and supporting families and works with the families whenever possible to ensure the least possible disruption to the patient.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
224. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No.396 of the 25 September 2012, if he will provide a breakdown of the €40 million quoted for aids and appliances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53175/12]
View answerI understand that the Health Service Executive replied to the Deputy in relation to this matter on the 11th October. I have asked the Executive to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the additional information that has now been sought.
225. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 249 of 15 November 2012, if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the staff grades in which hours have been cut to include a breakdown of the number in the various categories of medical, nursing, dental, allied health and social care professionals, science / laboratory, management / administration / ICT, general support staff, technical and maintenance or catering and housekeeping. [53177/12]
View answerThe Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet its fiscal and budgetary targets. The health sector must make its contribution to that reduction.
A detailed breakdown of the staff grades in which hours have been cut is a matter for the Health Service Executive, and as such, the Deputy's enquiry has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
226. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 249 of 15 November 2012, the impact cuts to agency and overtime will have on oncology, gynaecology and emergency services in the Louth Meath Hospital Group. [53178/12]
View answerClearly there are funding pressures in the health services and the acute hospital sector must reduce costs in order to deliver the agreed level of activity within the resources available. Reduction in costs will come from greater efficiencies where possible, including shorter average length of stay which in turn reduces the number of bed days needed. Specific cost containment measures are also necessary.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
227. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will exempt disability services from further cuts. [53179/12]
View answerPending completion of the national estimates, budgetary and service planning process for 2013 it is not possible to predict the service levels to be provided next year.
