Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2015
622. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason coeliac disease is not registered as a disease with the national disease register; his views on re-instating it on the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28815/15]
View answerThe Department of Health is not aware of the existence of a National Disease Register, or of a national register for coeliac disease.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE faces a continuing challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, as a result it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of items reimbursable under the GMS and other community drug schemes. This includes gluten-free products.
Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies. There are no plans to reinstate these products on the list of reimbursable items under the GMS and other community drug schemes.
