Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The point the Senator makes about the six-month dispensing not happening is practical. That matter is not referenced in the response I have from the Minister for Health. I will bring it back to the officials and Minister to highlight it to them. It is all well and good to talk about the DPS but for those getting it monthly and not passing the €80 limit, it will not have the benefit it can have. The State wants that benefit to be there.

The response I was given clearly states that it is not the plan to have this free, but that is under the impression the DPS covers everybody of all income types and none. The DPS is universal. We need two things: for the companies to apply for the drug to be covered under the DPS, which we do not control, and for it to be dispensed in a form that would allow that to happen. I am not sure if there are clinical or medical reasons for it not being dispensed for six months. If there is a requirement to go back to the doctor to check the position in that regard, that might be a consideration. I will bring the points the Senator made back to the Department of Health and the Minister.