Vol. 557 No. 1
362 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if medicines prescribed for the treatment of a patient in a psychiatric hospital will be provided free of charge after the discharge from that hospital, while the patient continues to be on the treatment; if this arrangement applies in both public and private hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21482/02]
Approved prescription medicines are available under the community drug schemes. Such medicines are provided free of charge to medical card holders. The provision of medicines that are not available under the community drug schemes for the treatment of psychiatric patients is a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board. The status of a hospital has no bearing on the operation of the community drug schemes.
