Gay Mitchell
Ceist:466 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will allow the inclusion of occuvite on those drugs allowed on the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7975/03]
Written Answers - Medical Cards.
Any medicine to be included in the common list of items reimbursable under the community drugs schemes must comply with a list of criteria, ranging from the uses for and licensing of medicines to the pricing of products. The product should ordinarily be supplied to the public by medical prescription only and should not be advertised or promoted to the public. The Ocuvite product available in Ireland is Ocuvite Lutein. This is an over-the-counter product and is not eligible for reimbursement under the community drugs schemes. A medical card holder who experiences financial difficulty in obtaining medicines not covered on the common list should approach the health board for assistance.