asked the Minister for Health the circumstances in which a long term illness card is granted to persons who are suffering from leukaemia; and whether he will consider extending this cover to all suffers from leukaemia.
236.
Written Answers. - Leukaemia Sufferers.
233.
asked the Minister for Health if he will designate systemic lupus erythematosus as a long term illness in order to enable persons with this disease to cover the full cost of drugs through their local health board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 236 together. Acute leukaemia, is one of the 15 conditions scheduled under statutory regulation in respect of entitlement to benefit under the long term illness scheme. This condition was added to the original list of conditions in March 1975.
I am at present reviewing both the long term illness scheme and the drugs refund scheme to ensure that the needs of those who require expensive drugs on a regular basis are met more equitably.