Brian Lenihan
Ceist:165 Mr. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to include the services rendered by herbalists and acupuncturists on the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18510/96]
Written Answers. - GMS Scheme.
Limerick East): In accordance with the Health Act, 1970, health boards are required, under the General Medical Services scheme (GMS), to provide, without charge, general practitioner services, drugs, medicines and appliances to persons with full eligibility i.e. medical card holders.
Under the scheme, general practitioner services are provided by doctors registered with the Medical Council under the statutory provisions of the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978, while drugs and medicines are dispensed by pharmacists registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland under the provisions of the Pharmacy Acts, 1875 to 1977.
General practitioners participating in the GMS scheme are required to provide all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner. Drugs and medicines, which are considered necessary for any person receiving services under the scheme, must be examined and accredited by the National Medicines Board and covered by a product authorisation. The granting of a product authorisation ensures that the medicinal products concerned have satisfied certain minimum standards regarding their quality, safety and efficacy before they are placed on the market.
The position is that services provided by herbalists and acupuncturists are not eligible for reimbursement under the GMS scheme and I have no plans to change the current arrangements under the scheme.