John Gormley
Ceist:203 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if there has been an increase in allergies over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8729/99]
Written Answers. - Allergy Incidence.
John Gormley
Ceist:204 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the assistance, if any, the State gives for the treatment of allergies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8730/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.
Allergies arise from a very wide variety of causes and affect individuals in many different ways. Given the nature of allergies, which can range from minor irritants to more severe allergic conditions and the fact that not all people affected by allergies present for treatment, it is difficult to ascertain whether there has been any overall increase in prevalence during the past decade. For the most serious allergic reactions requiring hospitalisation, data are available from the hospital in-patient enquiry – HIPE – system.
For the period 1994 to 1997 the number of people hospitalised for allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and anaphylactic shock are shown in the table below. It should be noted that HIPE refers to acute publicly-funded hospitals only and that 1994 is the first year for which comprehensive data are available from this system.
Numbers of In-Patient Discharges from Hospital, 1994 to 1997
|
Diagnosis |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
|
Allergic Asthma |
160 |
172 |
214 |
162 |
|
Allergic Rhinitis |
166 |
190 |
186 |
207 |
|
Anaphylactic Shock |
446 |
620 |
673 |
665 |
Source: Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) System.
I will also forward to the Deputy details of some reports on allergic conditions from medical journals which may be of interest to him.
As with other conditions, persons with allergies are entitled to services depending on their eligibility category. Medical card holders are, of course, entitled to receive the full range of ser vices free of charge. Non-medical card holders who suffer from an on-going medical condition can avail of the drug cost subsidisation scheme which caters for people who do not have a medical card or a long-term illness book and are certified as having a medical condition with a regular and on-going requirement for prescribed drugs and medicines. Persons who qualify for inclusion in this scheme will not have to spend more than £32 in any month on prescribed medication. Under the drugs refund scheme which covers expenditure by the whole family, any expenditure on prescribed medication above £90 in a calendar quarter is refunded by the health board.
With effect from 1 July 1999 the existing drug cost subsidisation and drug refund schemes will be merged into one new drug payment scheme with a threshold of £42 per month per family unit or individual. No family or individual will have to pay more than £42 in any month on prescribed medicines. Any expenditure on prescribed medication in excess of £42 will be met by the State. To qualify under the present drug cost subsidisation scheme, patients had to be certified by their doctor as suffering from a condition requiring ongoing expenditure. There are no qualifying criteria for this new drug payment scheme and, as such, this scheme is open to everyone.