Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 139: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6523/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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There is a common list of reimbursable medicines for the general medical services and drug payment schemes. This list ensures equity between the schemes for the range of medicines paid for by the State. The list is reviewed and amended monthly, as new products become available and deletions are notified.

For an item to be included on the common list, it must comply with a published list of criteria. These include authorisation status where appropriate, price and, in certain cases, the intended use of the product. In addition, the product should ordinarily be supplied to the public only by medical prescription and should not be advertised or promoted to the public. The product referred to by the Deputy does not have a product authorisation from the Irish Medicines Board and cannot therefore be considered for inclusion on the common list.

However, the Deputy will be pleased to learn that a protocol sets out the circumstances and conditions under which a necessary unlicensed medicine may be reimbursed by the State, where lawfully supplied. Applications for reimbursement which meet the terms of the protocol should be made to the primary care reimbursement service, for DPS cardholders, or the local area of the Health Service Executive for GMS cardholders.