Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 19 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 5

Written Answers. - Drugs Payment Scheme.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

217 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason certain medical requirements (details supplied) are not available to persons using the drug refund scheme even where they make up an essential part of a prescribed medical treatment. [5303/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

A common list of reimbursable medicines was introduced for the general medical services scheme and the drug payment scheme from 1 July 1999. Previously, medicines which were not available to medical card holders under the general medical services scheme were being reimbursed under the community drugs schemes. The introduction of the common medicines list ensures equity between the general medical services, GMS, and the drugs payment scheme in relation to the range of medicines paid for by the State under both schemes. In order for any item of medicine to be included in the common list of items reimbursable under the community drug schemes, it must comply with a list of criteria. These range from the uses for and licensing of medicines to the pricing of products. In addition, the product should ordinarily be supplied to the public only on foot of a medical prescription and should not be advertised or promoted to the public. Phosphate enemas are low cost products which are available in pharmacies without prescription.

The Deputy will be pleased to know that catheters are included in the common list of reimbursable items. However, if difficulties are being experienced it may be that a particular catheter is no longer listed if it is not in conformity with current good practice in the use of these products. In that event the patient should contact his/her local public health nurse or the continence care unit in Dr. Steevens Hospital.

People who are unable, without undue hardship, to arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. Eligibility for a medical card is solely a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board to decide. In determining eligibility for a medical card, the chief executive officer has regard to the financial circumstances of the applicant. Income guidelines are used by health boards to assist in determining a person's eligibility. However, even though a person's income exceeds the guidelines, the person may still be awarded a medical card if the chief executive officer considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this. Medical cards may also be issued to individual family members on this basis. Non-medical card holders can avail of the drug payment scheme. Under this scheme, no individual or family unit pays more than €53.33 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.