Written Answers Nos. 1361-1380
1362. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he plans on reviewing the medical card application process for cancer patients where a household sees a loss of one wage due to illness but cannot obtain a medical card based on the means assessment; if he will review a temporary card for persons who find themselves in the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46490/24]
View answerMedical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold.
The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
The HSE also has a compassionate system in place for the efficient provision of medical cards in response to emergency situations i.e., where persons are in need of urgent ongoing medical care or when a patient is receiving end of life treatment. In these cases, a medical card is issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required patient details and completed medical report by a healthcare professional. In addition, since March 2021, persons who have been certified by their treating Consultant as having a prognosis of 24 months or less are now also awarded a medical card on an administrative basis. Medical cards awarded on end of life grounds are never re-assessed by the HSE thereby providing reassurance and comfort to patients and their families.
Separately, I can advise the Deputy that, since 2015, medical cards are awarded without the need of a financial assessment to all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer. Further information can be found on the HSE’s website at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/emergency-medical-cards/.
I can assure the Deputy that, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy and other issues which may be relevant.
1363. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the consideration of a draft report (details supplied) by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46506/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1364. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will work with health insurance providers to remove policy upgrade waiting periods before accessing higher levels of cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46528/24]
View answerIreland has a voluntary community rated private health insurance market. The purpose of Community Rating is to ensure that everyone pays the same amount for the same level of health insurance coverage, regardless of their age or health status.
Where an individual upgrades to a health insurance policy with higher cover, they may have to serve a waiting period before they are fully covered on their new policy. Under legislation, a maximum waiting period of two years may be applied to any higher benefit on the new policy. There is no minimum waiting period. Therefore, insurers can shorten the maximum waiting period, or waive it entirely, as a matter of competitive practice. However, this is a commercial decision, and I, therefore, cannot interfere.
It should be noted that the application of waiting periods helps support the principle of community rating, discouraging practices where someone could potentially take out a health insurance policy to avail of a particular treatment and then cancel the policy once treatment had been received without sustained contribution to the community-rated market.
1365. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health to ensure that the HSE store for disabled aids equipment in Mountmellick, County Laois is made safe and reopened, given the current unacceptable situation where equipment cannot be accessed for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46531/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1366. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of pregnant victims of domestic violence reported in each hospital, per county, in 2023 and to date in 2024. [46533/24]
View answerAs this PQ refers to operational matters, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
1367. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a drug shortage (details supplied); the steps that will be taken to address this shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46537/24]
View answerIn Ireland, we have a multi-stakeholder Medicines Shortages Framework in place, operated by our medicines regulator, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) on behalf of the Department of Health. The framework aims to help prevent potential shortages from occurring and to reduce the impact of shortages on patients by coordinating the management of potential or actual shortages as they arise. Stakeholders in this framework include the HPRA, the Department, the HSE, healthcare professionals, manufacturers, wholesalers, patient representative groups and marketing authorisation holders.
The HPRA have not been notified of an ongoing shortage of Tyvense (lisdexamphetamine). A previous shortage of Tyvense 30mg Hard Capsules was resolved on 13th November 2024.
The HPRA maintains a list of current and resolved shortages on its website. The webpage is updated daily as the HPRA receives new information.
1368. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the HSEs position on paxlovid and to provide an explanation. [46539/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1369. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that glp1-type medications to assist with weight loss are covered under the DPS scheme, in particular where they are prescribed to patients with severe co-morbidities such a heart disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46546/24]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1370. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure home help hours are put in place for a person (details supplied). [46549/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1371. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to expedite hip surgery (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46552/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1372. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46557/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1373. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health what can be done to increase Ireland’s participation rate in cancer related clinical trials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46559/24]
View answerClinical trials are a fundamental component of high-quality care and improving patient outcomes. Over the last 15 years, my Department has invested more than €150 million in clinical trials and research support services in all healthcare areas including oncology through the Health Research Board (HRB). My Department established a National Clinical Trials Oversight Group in July of last year. This group is tasked with developing recommendations on increasing the number of trials taking place in Ireland and improving access for patients to participate in more clinical trials across a range of priority healthcare areas, including oncology clinical trials.
In recent years, my Department has made significant progress in improving clinical trial infrastructure. In an effort to improve transparency, streamline approval mechanisms, and provide a robust framework for ethical approval process for clinical trials, my Department established the National Office for National Research Ethics Committees (NREC). This office, which plays a critical role in providing expertise and guidance on research ethics, hosts three NRECs in key clinical trial areas of medical products, medical devices, and in vitro diagnostics. The Department has also invested in the expansion of an HSE research infrastructure across the Health Regions to promote an equitable national research service within the public health sector.
The HRB, as the leading funder of health research in Ireland, has been driving the growth of clinical trials in Ireland and putting in place the supporting research infrastructure with the overall aim of facilitating clinical trials that can benefit patients, the healthcare system, and the economy. In 2021, the HRB Board approved a multi-year €21.6m investment in cancer trials in Ireland, comprising support for a National Cancer Clinical Trials Network and funding for six cancer trials groups. Additionally, the HRB manages the only dedicated funding stream (i.e., Definitive Interventions and Feasibility Awards, DIFA) for clinical trials and interventions in Ireland, which supports studies evaluating a full scale, definitive trial of an intervention to provide high quality evidence on the efficacy, effectiveness, cost, and broad impact of the intervention. To date the HRB has made a total investment of €32m across 45 studies. In 2022, the HRB opened a specific cancer stream with €3m available for cancer clinical trials and interventions in the DIFA scheme.
Under the Ireland-Northern Ireland-US Cancer Consortium, €1.2m was allocated in funding for North-South cancer research in 2024, which includes access to clinical trials on an all-island basis as a priority objective.
In line with the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026, a National Cancer Research Group has been established. The Group aims to improve co-ordination and oversight of cancer research nationally and provide a forum for the agreement of research priorities. The Group also seeks to achieve continuity of funding and to ensure that funding allocations are linked to the agreed research priorities.
1374. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken, and the current situation in respect of his commitment, to provide free HRT in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46570/24]
View answer1468. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if matters in relation to HRT (details supplied) will be clarified and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1012/25]
View answer1472. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health the reason no operational or implementation details were agreed in relation to the free HRT products scheme announced in Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1035/25]
View answer1473. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health if secondary legislation is ready to be placed before the Houses of the Oireachtas to facilitate promised free HRT products being made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1036/25]
View answer1474. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to claims by a union (details supplied) that there will be a significant lead-in times required to facilitate IT changes for the delivery of free HRT products; the way this can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1037/25]
View answer1475. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health to list in full the range of HRT products proposed to be made available free of charge; if this has changed from the range originally announced in October 2024; whether there is scope to increase the range of products in amending legislation given that this has not yet been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1038/25]
View answer1476. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when free hormone replacement therapy as announced in Budget 2025 will become available; if women who had to pay for products in January 2025 will be reimbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1047/25]
View answer1477. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the date that HRT will become available free of charge, as proposed in Budget 2025; if this has now been delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1048/25]
View answer1480. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Health the status of the promised provision of free HRT in January 2025; the reason for the delay; when free HRT will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1055/25]
View answer1482. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of the free HRT scheme; the reasons for the delay in its rollout; if he will consider reimbursing women for HRT costs incurred since the start of January 2025 due to the delay in commencement of the scheme. [1060/25]
View answer1486. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the provision of free hormone replacement therapy for women, which was due to be implemented on 1 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1084/25]
View answer1503. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the expected rollout of the free HRT scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1156/25]
View answer1516. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health for an update on the discussions his Department is undertaking with the HSE and a union (details supplied) in order to implement the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Bill 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1209/25]
View answer1568. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when the free HRT scheme that was to be in place at the beginning of 2025 will be in place. [1518/25]
View answer1588. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health when hormone replacement therapy will become free, given that this was supposed to commence in January, having been provided for in Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1626/25]
View answer1591. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health to outline the engagement he has undertaken with pharmacists and the HSE regarding the commitment to provide from HRT to women from January 2025; when this scheme will become operational; whether women will receive retrospective payment for HRT purchased from 1 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1631/25]
View answer1601. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health when HRT products will be available for free, as committed to in Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1700/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1374, 1468, 1472, 1473, 1474, 1475, 1476, 1477, 1480, 1482, 1486, 1503, 1516, 1568, 1588, 1591 and 1601 together.
As Minister for Health, menopause has been an important health and well-being issue that I have prioritised, and much work has been done in this area which has been driven by the Women’s Health Taskforce and the Women’s Health Action Plans, launched in 2022 and 2024.
To support women through their menopause journeys, we have progressed various initiatives to enhance holistic and clinician supports available to women. These include:
• A GP Clinical Lead for Women’s Health established 2021, to lead on the improvement of women’s health supports in the community.
• The development of a menopause theory course for GPs and GP trainees via the Irish College of General Practitioners.
• The development in 2022 of a Quick Reference Guide on Menopause for GPs. The guide comprises of evidence-based information on the management of perimenopause and menopause in general practice by GPs and practice nurses.
• The “It’s My Time” campaign was launched in 2022, in partnership with Sport Ireland, aimed at encouraging women over 40 to increase physical activity levels, which can be helpful in managing symptoms of menopause.
• The launch, also in 2022, of a National Menopause Awareness campaign. This was a direct response to the demand from Irish women for greater knowledge and understanding of menopause as well as better access to accurate information and supports so that they can proactively manage their experience. A second phase of the campaign was relaunched in 2023 as part of the Department of Health’s Women’s Health Week.
• The launch of a dedicated webpage to provide trusted information for anyone affected by menopause in Ireland.
• In relation to making Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) more accessible and affordable, Budget 2023 announced the removal of VAT from HRT products. This came into effect from 1st January 2023.
• Six specialist menopause clinics now open for women who have complex experiences of menopause.
• In the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025 Phase 2: An Evolution in Women’s Health, we are committed to expanding the operating hours of these services so more women can receive necessary treatment.
• In 2023, in partnership with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, we launched the Menopause in the Workplace Policy Framework to guide all Civil Service departments and bodies in developing their own Menopause in the Workplace Policies. My Department has subsequently published its own guidance to support Department colleagues in their menopause journey.
The next step in supporting women experiencing menopause is the introduction of an initiative, announced as part of Budget 2025, where the cost of HRT products or medicines will be paid for by the State. This new measure aims to relieve some of the cost burden associated with HRT products. This is supported by a €20m per annum investment.
To enable this initiative, the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024 was signed into law in November 2024. Under this legislation the Irish government will fund the product or medicine cost of HRT products prescribed to women to help manage any stage of menopause. For the purpose of this measure, menopause means the various stages for the treatment of menopause symptoms and includes perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause, and medically induced menopause.
This measure is for women who have been prescribed HRT by their healthcare provider and it applies to HRT products reimbursable by the HSE under the Community Drug Schemes, including the Drugs Payment Scheme and General Medical Services Scheme.
The cost of GP consultation fees and pharmacy dispensing fees are not included in the measure.
The Department of Health continues to engage and work with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Pharmacy Union on the practical implementation of the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024.
The goal is to introduce this measure as soon as possible and reimbursement support will be available to participating pharmacies from the date that this measure is formally introduced and operational.
1375. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health following the Budget 2025 announcement of free HRT, to confirm whether the patient will have to pay a dispensing fee to the pharmacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46571/24]
View answer1483. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in commencing the free HRT scheme; when the scheme will commence for qualifying patients; if he will arrange for women who should have benefited from the scheme since 1 January 2025 to be reimbursed any expenses accrued up to the formal commencement of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1064/25]
View answer1493. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the rollout of the proposed free HRT scheme as outlined in Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1114/25]
View answer1510. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the reason that the publicly funded HRT scheme will be delayed; the new projected date for the rollout of the scheme; if persons will be reimbursed for HRT paid for between January 2025 and the implementation date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1176/25]
View answer1511. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will advise when HRT medication will be available without charge, as per Government commitments and announcements; if this will be backdated for medication dispensed and paid for in 2025; how a retrospective claim for recoupment of this expense will be done; if there will be an advertisement campaign advising of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1181/25]
View answer1552. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health to give a clear outline of when the free HRT scheme will be implemented, as promised in Budget 2025; to commit to reimbursing patients who have had to purchase the medication after 1 January 2025 when the scheme was supposed to be introduced; to ensure that any GP fees incurred during the prescribing process are waived to ensure ‘free’ HRT as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1432/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1375, 1483, 1493, 1510, 1511 and 1522 together.
As Minister for Health, menopause has been an important health and well-being issue that I have prioritised, and much work has been done in this area which has been driven by the Women’s Health Taskforce and the Women’s Health Action Plans, launched in 2022 and 2024.
To support women through their menopause journeys, we have progressed various initiatives to enhance holistic and clinician supports available to women. These include:
• A GP Clinical Lead for Women’s Health established 2021, to lead on the improvement of women’s health supports in the community.
• The development of a menopause theory course for GPs and GP trainees via the Irish College of General Practitioners.
• The development in 2022 of a Quick Reference Guide on Menopause for GPs. The guide comprises of evidence-based information on the management of perimenopause and menopause in general practice by GPs and practice nurses.
• The “It’s My Time” campaign was launched in 2022, in partnership with Sport Ireland, aimed at encouraging women over 40 to increase physical activity levels, which can be helpful in managing symptoms of menopause.
• The launch, also in 2022, of a National Menopause Awareness campaign. This was a direct response to the demand from Irish women for greater knowledge and understanding of menopause as well as better access to accurate information and supports so that they can proactively manage their experience. A second phase of the campaign was relaunched in 2023 as part of the Department of Health’s Women’s Health Week.
• The launch of a dedicated webpage to provide trusted information for anyone affected by menopause in Ireland.
• In relation to making Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) more accessible and affordable, Budget 2023 announced the removal of VAT from HRT products. This came into effect from 1st January 2023.
• Six specialist menopause clinics now open for women who have complex experiences of menopause.
• In the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025 Phase 2: An Evolution in Women’s Health, we are committed to expanding the operating hours of these services so more women can receive necessary treatment.
• In 2023, in partnership with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, Reform, we launched the Menopause in the Workplace Policy Framework to guide all Civil Service departments and bodies in developing their own Menopause in the Workplace Policies. My Department has subsequently publishes its own guidance to support Department colleagues in their menopause journey.
The next step in supporting women experiencing menopause is the introduction of an initiative, announced as part of Budget 2025, where the cost of HRT products or medicines will be paid for by the State. This new measure aims to relieve some of the cost burden associated with HRT products. This is supported by a €20m per annum investment.
To enable this initiative, the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024 was signed into law in November 2024. Under this legislation the Irish government will fund the product or medicine cost of HRT products prescribed to women to help manage any stage of menopause. For the purpose of this measure, menopause means the various stages for the treatment of menopause symptoms and includes perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause, and medically induced menopause.
This measure is for women who have been prescribed HRT by their healthcare provider and it applies to HRT products reimbursable by the HSE under the Community Drug Schemes, including the Drugs Payment Scheme and General Medical Services Scheme.
The cost of GP consultation fees and pharmacy dispensing fees are not included in the measure.
The Department of Health continues to engage and work with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Pharmacy Union on the practical implementation of the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024.
The goal is to introduce this measure as soon as possible and reimbursement support will be available to participating pharmacies from the date that this measure is formally introduced and operational.
1376. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the recruitment of staff for the new primary care centre in Clondalkin on the Boot Road; the levels of staff recruited, per post; the levels of staff vacancies, per post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46574/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1377. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on the CAMHS unit in the new national children’s hospital; the size and capacity of the unit; the number and type of staff to be allocated to the unit; the location of the unit within the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46576/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1378. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health to confirm that the CAMHS unit in the new national children’s hospital is located in the basement of the building without any natural light; how this was decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46577/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1379. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on waiting lists for CAMHS for the month of December, by CHO area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46578/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1380. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the consequences for the rollout of free HRT with the shortages of the drug estradot in Irish pharmacies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46580/24]
View answerAs part of Budget 2025, the Minister for Health announced a new initiative wherein the cost of HRT products or medicines will be paid for by the State. This new measure aims to relieve some of the cost burden associated with HRT products. This is supported by a €20m per annum investment.
To enable this initiative, the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024 was signed into law in November 2024. Under this legislation the Irish government will fund the product or medicine cost of HRT products prescribed to women to help manage any stage of menopause. For the purpose of this measure, menopause means the various stages for the treatment of menopause symptoms and includes perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause, and medically induced menopause.
This measure is for women who have been prescribed HRT by their healthcare provider and it applies to HRT products reimbursable by the HSE under the Community Drug Schemes, including the Drugs Payment Scheme and General Medical Services Scheme.
The cost of GP consultation fees and pharmacy dispensing fees are not included in the measure. Medical card holders will not be required to pay dispensing fees in respect of their HRT products obtained but will continue to pay prescription fees for the items as is current practice.
The Department of Health continues to engage and work with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Pharmacy Union on the practical implementation of the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024.
In relation to shortages of medicinal products, the Department is aware of the stress that shortages of medicines can cause for patients and healthcare professionals alike, thusly managing and mitigating medicine shortages is the subject of several workstreams across the Department and wider health service.
Ireland has a multi-stakeholder Medicines Shortages Framework in place, operated by our medicines regulator, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) on behalf of the Department of Health. The framework aims to help prevent potential shortages from occurring and to reduce the impact of shortages on patients by coordinating the management of potential or actual shortages as they arise.
Sandoz Pharmaceuticals d.d., the company responsible for supplying Estradot, has notified the HPRA of a shortage of Estradot 50 micrograms/24hours transdermal patches due to a manufacturing delay. This manufacturing delay is impacting upon supply in multiple countries. The shortage is expected to be resolved on 28th February 2025.
Theramex Ireland Limited, the company responsible for supplying Evorel, has notified the HPRA of a shortage of Evorel 50 micrograms/ 24 hours transdermal patches due to an unexpected increase in demand impacting Ireland only. This shortage is expected to be resolved on 15th February 2025.
The HPRA maintains a list of current and resolved shortages on its website. The webpage is updated daily as the HPRA receives new information.
