Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 552: To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the availability of the important medicine (details supplied) given its high cost especially for citizens who do not have a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16088/12]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 553: To ask the Minister for Health if the important medicine (details supplied) is available through the drugs refund scheme given its high cost in particular for citizens who do not have a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16089/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 552 and 553 together. Pradaxa is available under the GMS Scheme, the Drug Payment Scheme and other community drugs schemes for the prevention of blood clots in adult patients who have undergone elective hip replacement surgery or elective knee replacement surgery.

The HSE is assessing the availability of resources to provide for the long term treatment with Pradaxa for the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. This is a complicated process with long term implications.

There is a range of alternative medications which can be prescribed for stroke prevention under the community drugs schemes.