Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 3

Written Answers. - Drugs Refund Scheme.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

187 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason wasp venom, used in immuno-therapy which provides protection against a systemic reaction in patients at risk of anaphylaxis following a bee or wasp sting, is not included for cover under the drug payment scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that venom immuno-therapy is life saving treatment required by a small group of patients highly sensitive to wasp or bee sting; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the venom was originally covered by the drug refund scheme; and if cover will immediately be provided for under the drug payment scheme. [18808/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

Since 1 July 1999, a common list of reimbursable medicines was introduced for the GMS scheme and community drugs schemes. In order for any medicine to be included in the common list, it must comply with a published list of criteria. These range from the uses for and licensing of medicines to the pricing of products. The criteria stipulate, inter alia, that the product should be the subject of a product authorisation and may be used under the supervision of a general medical practitioner and not restricted to hospital or medical specialist use.

The product to which the Deputy refers does not have a product authorisation in Ireland. While my Department recognises that in certain exceptional circumstances the supply of unauthorised medicinal products will be necessary and a protocol has been drawn up for the supply of these products, the manner of administration of wasp venom immuno-therapy is such that it requires administration in a hospital or in a specialist clinic associated with a hospital in view of the importance of patient monitoring following its administration. Since it has always been the normal practice that medicinal products administered in such a hospital or clinic are supplied by that hospital or clinic, it is considered inappropriate to include this product as a reimbursable medicinal product in any of the community-based schemes.

The arrangements for the reimbursement or supply of specialised medicinal products, which are ordinarily hospital-specialist clinic-based products, are under consideration by my Department at present. The arrangements for the reimbursement or supply of this product will be considered in the light of the overall examination.