Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Question:159. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the Irish population's iodine deficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7259/15]
View answerMedicinal Products Supply
Questions (159, 160)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Question:160. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the reason Ireland has yet to include iodine in table salt for sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7260/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together.
Iodine is a mineral that is important for health. It assists the thyroid gland in making hormones which are important for growth, metabolism and for development of a baby's brain during pregnancy and early life. Iodine is found in a range of foods, but the richest sources are sea food and dairy products. The level of Iodine needed varies depending on age, gender and whether a woman is pregnant or lactating.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has published the results of a research (Report on Total Diet Study 2001-2005 published in September 2011). It showed that average daily intake ranged from 170 - 260 micro grammes. These intake ranges are in line with the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of 130 micro grammes for the 18 - 64 age range.
Currently UCD has been asked to do further analysis on the levels of iodine in the Irish diet and we are awaiting their results. Early indications show that most Irish people are meeting the RDA but a certain proportion may have intakes below this during the summer; the reason for which may lie in the fact that milk and milk products contain less Iodine during the summer period. Adding iodine to salt is permitted in Ireland and other European countries.
The Department of Health is currently revising the Healthy Eating Guidelines, which will be published later this year. In addition, the Department intends to start work on a National Nutrition policy later in 2015, and iodine intake will form part of this work.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (161)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:161. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive an appointment at Cappagh Hospital, Dublin 11 [7262/15]
View answerWritten answers
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.
In relation to the specific case raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (162)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:162. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will receive a hospital appointment at Tullamore General Hospital, County Offaly [7263/15]
View answerWritten answers
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.
In relation to the specific case raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
Health Services Provision
Questions (163)
Regina Doherty
Question:163. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health if placement for full or part time residential care for young disabled persons will be increased; the current availability of such care for the Louth - Meath disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7271/15]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
Medicinal Products Prices
Questions (164)
Tom Fleming
Question:164. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the progress in the reference pricing method of the drug cost control measure; the approximate savings since its introduction in November 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7275/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 provides that from June 2013 the maximum price of all new medicinal products reimbursed under the community drug schemes will be set in accordance with the criteria set out in the Act. The Act also introduces a system of generic substitution and reference pricing.
Reference pricing involves the setting of a common reimbursement price, or reference price, for a group of interchangeable medicines. This is the maximum price that the HSE will reimburse to pharmacies for all medicines in the group, regardless of the individual medicine’s prices. The Health Products Regulatory Authority maintains the list of interchangeable medicines and is responsible for determining which medicines should be deemed interchangeable.
The first reference prices were set for atorvastatin in November 2013, since then the HSE has set reference prices for a further 35 medicines and this process is ongoing. Reference pricing is expected to generate approximately €50 million in savings in 2014 and a further €25 million in 2015.
As part of our wider Troika commitments a target for generic penetration of the off-patent market by volume was set at 70% by end 2016. This was to be phased as follows: 60% by end 2014; 65% by end 2015; and 70% by end 2016. By Quarter 3 2014 generics accounted for approximately 67% of the total off-patent market, thus already ahead of target.
The continued implementation of generic substitution and reference pricing remains a top priority. Reference prices will ensure that generic prices in Ireland will fall towards European norms.
Departmental Communications
Questions (165)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:165. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he is implementing a plain English policy, as outlined by the National Adult Literacy Agency, in his Department's communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7285/15]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Health, I communicate with citizens in plain English, as far as possible. The Department's website was redeveloped recently and content was rewritten in a plain English style. The Department's style guides for officials emphasise the benefits of avoiding jargon, using short, clear sentences and being as concise as possible. As Minister I require all speeches, press releases and other material to be written as clearly as possible.
It is important that citizens can access information about health services in plain English. In 2009 the HSE worked with NALA to produce a plain language style guide for documents they produce.