Liam Aylward
Ceist:159 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will have a drug made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [7859/98]
Written Answers. - Drug Costs.
I have confirmed with the South-Eastern Health Board that the person referred to by the Deputy is a medical card holder. The drug in question is available to patients on a "named patient""compassionate use" basis; it is not available on the general medical services, GMS scheme.
Health boards may provide assistance towards the cost of items which are not covered by the GMS scheme. Assistance of this kind is solely a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board to decide. The South-Eastern Health Board has indicated that individuals are usually expected to contribute the first £15 of the monthly cost, with the balance being met by the patient. Accordingly, in this case, while the total monthly cost of the medicine is £24.56, the patient in question only pays £15 per month.