Thomas Byrne
Ceist:114 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children if the provision of a drug (details supplied) is covered on the medical card scheme. [35587/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2010
114 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children if the provision of a drug (details supplied) is covered on the medical card scheme. [35587/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that methadone prescribed for pain relief is available under the General Medical Services scheme.
115 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [35596/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe contract between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and general practitioners (GPs) under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme stipulates that fees are not paid to GPs by the HSE in respect of certain medical certificates which may be required, for example, "under the Social Welfare Acts or for the purposes of insurance or assurance policies or for the issue of driving licences".
Consultation fees charged by general practitioners to private patients and to GMS patients outside the terms of the GMS contract are a matter of private contract between the clinicians and the patients. While I have no role in relation to such fees, I would expect clinicians to have regard to the overall economic situation in setting their fees.