Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 3, before section 2, to insert the following new section:

"2.—The Minister shall lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the implementation of the recommendations of any report prepared for the Department of Health and Children in relation to the prescription of medication, with particular reference to the impact on patients over 70 of the implementation of such recommendations in respect of safety and effectiveness.".

This amendment requires reports to be laid before the Houses on the implications for the health of elderly people of the withdrawal of certain medications from the medical card and other schemes. It attempts to obtain quality information on the impact of such changes and to ensure that public representatives have timely access to this information. The media have reported on the possibility of a range of medications being limited or restricted.

Medical cards allow patients to access a variety of medication. Obviously we are not opposed to efficiencies being made but we do not want to give carte blanche in this regard if the result is that people suffer. My amendment makes patient care paramount when changes are made to the medications available in the medical card scheme and requires the Minister for Health and Children to report to the Houses. It is difficult at present to access in a timely manner the information we need. At a time of extensive change in the care of the elderly, we want to ensure information is made available by the HSE and the Department of Health and Children in a timely and comprehensive manner.

As this amendment could not be debated yesterday, the House has a unique opportunity to consider it. It would be good for democracy if we were able to share information on these issues with the Houses.