Mary Flaherty
Ceist:184 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health the reason smoking patches and chewing gum, which are used to wean people from smoking, are not available on the medical card.
Written Answers. - No Smoking Aids.
The general medical services scheme provides prescribed drugs and medicines free of charge for the treatment of persons with medical cards who would otherwise experience hardship in the provision of these items.
It is not considered that smoking patches and chewing gum are medical necessities whose purchase is likely to cause hardship to medical card patients.