Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 24 Feb 1994

Vol. 439 No. 4

Written Answers. - Asthma Treatment/Awareness Programme.

Jim Higgins

Ceist:

150 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health the number of asthma sufferers in the country; the value of drugs prescribed under the General Medical Scheme in 1992 for asthma treatment; the plans, if any, he has to introduce an asthma awareness programme for the purpose of prevention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

As asthma is not a notifiable disease there is no estimate available to my Department regarding the total number of asthma sufferers.

The total 1992 expenditure in respect of anti-asthmatic drugs in the General Medical Services Scheme was £10.76 million. This figure, however, may include expenditure on drugs for persons who do not have asthma but require certain products that are categorised as anti-asthmatic drugs.

My Department, through the health promotion unit offers on-going financial support to the asthma society for the development of its asthma awareness strategy. Since it was established in 1988 the unit has funded the printing of Asthma Society titles such asAsthma Information Booklet and Asthma — Take it in your Stride. A further publication which assists teachers to identify and manage children with asthma entitled Asthma and School — A Guide for Teachers was developed in 1992 and circulated to all schools. Knowing what may trigger off asthma should help teachers and parents to be more vigilant and help them detect an asthmatic child at an early stage.

The most recent addition to the asthma society's titlesAsthma and Pregnancy will be printed with funding from my Department's health promotion unit. This will be circulated to ante-natal clinics, informing women of the facts and helping to allay any fears which they might have about their own health or that of the baby.

One of the major risk factors for people with asthma is exposure to tobacco smoke. You will be aware that my Department has a very comprehensive anti-tobacco strategy embracing legislative, educational and fiscal measures which are all geared at reducing both the prevalence of smoking and the impact of passive smoking.