Medicinal Products

Tuesday, 13 December 2022

Questions (530, 538)

Neale Richmond

Question:

530. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is appropriate that pregnant women suffering from hyperemesis should have to see a consultant before receiving their reimbursement for Cariban; his views on whether this will introduce an additional barrier to treatment for women in this position and is appropriate given that the HSE recommends Cariban as the first line treatment for hyperemesis, nausea and vomiting in pregnancy; if he will include a prescription from a GP to allow for the reimbursement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61639/22]

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Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

538. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the reimbursement of pyridoxine/doxylamine, whose brand name is Cariban in Ireland, for women with hyperemesis gravidarum to require a prescription from a consultant obstetrician, rather than a GP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61689/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 530 and 538 together.

As part of Budget 2023, I announced €32.2 million in funding for Women’s Health Initiatives in 2023, to include dedicated funding for Cariban® (doxylamine/pyridoxine). Cariban® is an Exempt Medicinal Product i.e. not licensed with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) in Ireland. Following the recommendations of the HSE Medicines Management Programme, this product will be made available on an individual patient basis for those patients who meet the criteria under Community Drug Schemes (GMS, DPS) from January 2023 where Consultant Obstetrician initiated.

Under Community Drug Schemes, Exempt Medicinal Products must be Consultant initiated. However, whilst the original prescriber is a Consultant and specialist in the relevant field, the HSE will accept a GP prescription further to the initial hospital prescription for approved patients.