Vol. 534 No. 3
150 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that while patches for nicotine replacement therapy are available to medical card holders they are not available under the drugs refund scheme; his views on whether this is a breach of the common list agreement on pharmaceutical dispensing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10386/01]
My decision to make nicotine replacement therapies available to medical card holders was taken on foot of recommendations made by the cardiovascular health strategy group and the advisory forum established to support the task force in the implementation of strategy.
A common list of reimbursable medicines is in place for the general medical services scheme and the drug payment scheme to ensure equity in relation to the range of medicines paid for by the State under both schemes. In order for a product to be included in the list of reimbursable items, it must satisfy a number of criteria, including that it is ordinarily supplied to the public only on foot of a medical prescription and that the product should not be advertised or promoted to the public. Nicotine replacement therapies belong to a category of products that would not normally satisfy these criteria in that they are generally available over the counter and may be advertised directly to the public. However, in light of the recommendations that have been made to me I have decided, as an exceptional measure, to make the full range of nicotine replacement therapies available on prescription to medical card holders only. Evidence shows that the lower socio-economic groups have a higher incidence of smoking and spend a higher proportion of disposable income on tobacco. Accordingly, it is considered that this group is in greatest need of assistance in helping it to quit the habit.
