Results 15,461-15,480 of 24,567 for speaker:Róisín Shortall

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 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: Drugs Payment Scheme Administration (20 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €132 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines. In order to qualify for the Drug Payment Scheme, you must be ordinarily resident in Ireland. Persons wishing to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Licensing (20 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal products are unlawful except for the purposes of research. My Department is currently examining how authorised cannabis-based medicinal products for patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis may be legally prescribed by medical...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Expenditure (20 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 provides for the introduction of a system of generic substitution and reference pricing. Generic substitution allows pharmacists to substitute a cheaper generic equivalent, at the patient’s request, when a more expensive product has been prescribed. Reference pricing involves setting a common reimbursement amount for selected...

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: Health Services Provision (20 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

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

Róisín Shortall: 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: 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: No decisions have been taken in respect of medical card legislation criteria for 2013.

Confidence in the Minister for Health: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: What will replace the HSE and how best can we control costs? Reform of health care is never straightforward, as we all know. Decisions taken by the Government over the next few months will determine the shape of the future health care system. That will determine the shape of the system for years to come. We have to get it right. Reforms must be made in the best interests of patients.

Confidence in the Minister for Health: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (19 Sep 2012)

Róisín Shortall: This Government faces a huge challenge, to manage and reform the health service when the health budget is being reduced. As part of that process the key question that arises for us all is who will bear the burden of the cuts. For example, do we increase prescription charges for medical card patients or reduce the drugs bill? Do we cut public health nurses or collect money owed by insurance...

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...

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 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...