Results 5,641-5,660 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: I understand the point the Deputy is raising, but I do not think his case is strengthened because of the requirements under the legislation. In so far as he has a case to make for the amendment, it is already dealt with. A person will have new medicines for the same purpose; therefore, if he or she has one, two or three branded medicines, one, two or all three might be replaced in the...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: Patients will not be any less informed than they are currently.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: I did not say it could not be done.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: If the requirement in respect of INNs was to be put into law, it would need to be included in primary legislation. It would not be appropriate for it to be included in this legislation. It would be necessary to amend the medicines legislation in order to achieve what the Deputies' amendments propose. With regard to discretion, I did not say one could not have legislation that gives...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: The Deputies make some compelling points on this issue, and I thank them for doing so. I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin for raising the issue in the manner in which he has done. I indicated in my response my view of the INN, international non-proprietary name, and the practice of using the non-proprietary name, or the generic name, in the circumstances we are dealing with here. However,...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: For the information of the House I must indicate, at the risk of irritating Deputy Ó Caoláin, that I was addressing all of the amendments - amendments Nos. 5 to 9, inclusive, and 11.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: During research and development a pharmaceutical substance is given an international non-proprietary name, INN, or a generic name. This INN is generated by the World Health Organisation for all pharmaceuticals worldwide. Each INN is a unique name that is globally recognised and is public property. The method used for assigning each INN promotes the identification of the drug class by the...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: Deputy Denis Naughten was not here when I made the point about listening to and respecting people, which I do. I have listened carefully to every word stated about this issue. I am not persuaded by the Deputy and other colleagues that the way to proceed is to provide for a hollowed out statutory exemption. On the point made by the Deputy about human error always being a possibility in...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: I know that.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: I accept that.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: In the course of the debate, Members have raised serious related issues with regard to anti-epileptic drugs, AEDs, and the general issues common to this group of amendments. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin reminds me that we are dealing with amendment No. 4. On the last occasion, I was making the point that when issues are raised opposite, they are taken seriously, listened to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists (9 May 2013)

Alex White: The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Motion (8 May 2013)

Alex White: I thank my party colleague Senators for bringing forward this motion and thank all Senator who have spoken, Fine Gael Senators, Taoiseach's nominees, Senator O'Donovan and Sinn Féin representatives. I might comment briefly on the amendment but it was tabled in the spirit of a wide degree of agreement and support for the measures that are being taken. Senator Ó Clochartaigh said...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Supply (8 May 2013)

Alex White: The problem of the misuse of prescription drugs has been recognised at national, European and international levels. Through the framework of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, the Department of Health is working in collaboration with the relevant statutory agencies to monitor the availability of controlled drugs, including prescription medicines, through illicit channels. Under the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (8 May 2013)

Alex White: I have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the issue raised by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Water Fluoridation (8 May 2013)

Alex White: The Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies Act) 1960 provides for the fluoridation of public water supplies. At present fluoridation facilities are installed in approximately 250 water treatment plants nationally. Water treatment plants developed in the future will also have such facilities. The total cost of fluoridation since it began in 1964 is not readily available. Annual expenditure...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (2 May 2013)

Alex White: Following the centralisation of the overall management of the GMS Scheme to PCRS in July 2011, the assessment methodology applied to applications, that include supporting documentation to indicate that the applicant (or dependent(s), where applicable) has a medical condition, are outlined below. Where the combined income of an applicant and spouse/partner is over the Medical Card or GP...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (2 May 2013)

Alex White: The Medical Card/GP Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines, including the guidelines which deal with income in excess of the Medical Card Guidelines and undue hardship, are available on the HSE website.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Reimbursement Service Payments (2 May 2013)

Alex White: Under the Health Act 1970, as amended, the HSE is responsible for assessing an individual's entitlement to a medical card and a GP visit card. Section 45 provides that adult persons who, in the opinion of the HSE are unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependents are deemed to be persons with full eligibility. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Reimbursement Service Payments (2 May 2013)

Alex White: I can confirm that the DPS monthly threshold is considered in the overall assessment of applications for a medical card/GP Visit Card in the determination of medical costs where an applicant provides supporting documentation to indicate that he/she -or dependents - have a medical condition.