I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting my matter on the Adjournment. I am also grateful to the Minister of State for attending to reply to the debate.
I wish to draw the Minister's attention to the fact that, in recent weeks, hundreds of drug costs subsidisation scheme cardholders have had their cards withdrawn in the Southern Health Board region; this may also have occurred in other health board areas. The result is that severe hardship has been inflicted on cardholders and I ask the Minister to take immediate action to resolve the matter.
The scheme was introduced in 1990 mainly as a result of long and hard lobbying by the Asthma Association of Ireland. The main victims of the move to withdraw the cards are asthma sufferers. As the scheme is currently administered, DCSS holders are required to avail of the scheme in 11 of the preceding 12 months. Those who fail to meet the criteria have had their cards withdrawn. The Minister will agree that this approach goes against the spirit in which the regulation was made in the House in the first instance. He will also agree that it is unrealistic and highly impractical to put this requirement on holders of DCSS cards because asthma suffers can be clear of their condition for a number of consecutive months. When they are clear of their condition, they do not need treatment for that period. That is the nature of their ailment. However, when asthma strikes, these people need their cards because of the high cost of essential medicines. It should be borne in mind that inhalers can be dispensed to an asthma sufferer in January which, depending on the weather and other factors, may not be used until March. When that happens, a month is skipped and the recipient of the inhaler is deemed ineligible for the scheme.
When questioned the health board argued that cardholders can be reimbursed under the assistance towards the cost of prescribed medicines scheme. The net effect of this arrangement is that a cardholder would be required to carry the cost for each quarter and could then apply for reimbursement at the end of the quarter. However, in practice, reimbursement often does not occur until the fourth, fifth or sixth month. That puts a crippling burden on families and, as a result, a number of families suffer severe hardship, many of whom have spoken to me and whom I know well.
We have to confront this issue. As I understand it, only one of two actions can be taken. The Minister can use his office to direct the health board to apply a more reasonable degree of flexibility and understanding in the administration of the scheme. If that cannot be done, the only alternative is to include asthma in the list of classified long-term illnesses. One of those measures must be taken. I appeal to the Minister to ensure action is taken immediately because the present position is critical, will become more critical, and cannot be allowed continue.
