Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 3

Written Answers. - Drugs Refund Scheme.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

275 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to include ancillary medications, for example, vitamin supplements, phosphate absorbents and high factor sunscreens which are necessary for renal patients, on the drugs refund scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22540/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The new drug payment scheme with a threshold of £42 per month per individual or family unit was introduced on 1 July 1999. The primary aim of the new drug payment scheme is to bring about important improvements over previous schemes and the scheme is designed to be more streamlined, user friendly and to significantly improve the cash flow situation for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.

A common list of reimbursable medicines has been introduced for the GMS scheme and the new drug payment scheme. The introduction of the common medicines list will ensure equity between the general medical services and the new drug payment scheme in relation to the range of medicines paid for by the State under both schemes. The comprehensive range of most modern therapies required to treat all conditions, which is available on the GMS will continue to be paid for under the new scheme. This common list will be subject to ongoing review and amend ment on a monthly basis as new products become available, additions and deletions will be notified on a monthly basis. I am pleased to be able to inform the Deputy that with effect from 1 December 1999, Calcichew, a phosphate absorbent, will be reimbursable on the common list.

Over the counter, OTC, products, in general, such as vitamin supplements and cosmetic products are not available under the schemes. However, if a medical card holder is suffering undue hardship obtaining their medicine which is not covered under the common medicines list, they may apply to the chief executive officer of the relevant health board for assistance in such instances.

Officials from my Department have recently met with representatives from the Irish Kidney Association and explained that there are no plans to include the above-mentioned products on the common list.