Results 9,081-9,100 of 24,567 for speaker:Róisín Shortall

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Issues (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: Medical cards are granted by the HSE on the basis of means and individual circumstances and all persons seeking a medical card must be assessed under the undue hardship principle. Medical cards are not awarded to any particular group of patients on the basis of a specific medical condition. However, the HSE may look beyond the applicants financial situation and have regard to other matters...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Supply (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: The product in question has been identified both nationally and internationally as not being cost effective or being of lesser benefit to patients. In the current financial environment the Health Service Executive (HSE) is facing a challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens.

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: The Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to Government commitment to introduce a universal GP...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Drugs (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: In the current financial environment the Health Service Executive (HSE) is facing a challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of reimbursable items. This includes gluten-free...

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: Section 5(2) provides that the IMB shall have a maximum of 180 days after receiving an application from the authorisation holder of a medicinal product to determine whether it will add the medicinal product to a specified group of interchangeable medicinal products or refuse to add it. Section 5(3) provides that where the IMB is unable to make a determination under section 5(2) because it...

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: The principle is the same as for the first two amendments. It is a maximum period that is set out in the legislation. It is reasonable to allow that period for complex cases but we would expect it to be required in the minority of cases. The turnaround can be a lot quicker than that, providing all the information is available to the IMB. Some of the cases are complex and need careful...

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: I take the point. However, there are circumstances in which a period of more than 90 days may be required. Obviously, it is in everyone's interests that these decisions be taken as soon as possible. That would be the intention. There is a very definite benefit for the State in bringing generic substitutes onto the market and making them reimbursable because this will help to reduce the...

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: Part 4 of the Bill sets out the statutory procedures relating to the supply of and reimbursement of the cost of medicines and other items to patients under the GMS and the community drug schemes. Section 19 sets out the action to be taken by the executive where it makes a relevant decision under section 18, that is, to either add or refuse to add an item to the reimbursement list. Section...

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: I take the point made by Senator MacSharry that there needs to be transparency around the decision-making in this area. The criteria are set down clearly in Schedule 3. The overriding consideration has to be patient safety. However, we have no option but to consider other criteria as well with cost effectiveness and whether the use of a particular drug will ensure a person does not have to...

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: I fully agree with the sentiments that have been expressed. I hope we are moving in that direction. The pricing regime for medicines in this country has traditionally been complex. It is difficult to understand, frankly. As Senator Barrett has said, in many cases generic substitutes are no more than marginally cheaper than the branded product. All of that is covered by earlier...

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: We did not receive notice before now of the Senator's intention to table such an amendment. I will consider the matter. I do not want to indicate that it will receive a positive response. It will be considered before the Bill is debated in the Dáil.

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: I thank all Members for their input into the debate and for their co-operation in the smooth passage of the legislation. It is important that we get the Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible. I wish to say a special word of thanks to officials of my Department who have been working on this legislation for some time. It is very complex legislation but it is very...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (20 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: I propose to take Questions Nos. 209, 210, 213, 251 and 260 together. In the current financial environment the Health Service Executive (HSE) is facing a challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (20 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (20 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (20 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards Applications (20 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards Applications (20 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards Applications (20 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.