Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 197: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a medical product B12 is no longer available on the market and that when it becomes available again, it will no longer be available on the GMS scheme; the reason for this change; and what she intends to do for patients directly affected. [39105/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The vitamin B12 product concerned was removed from the common list of reimbursable drugs and medicines when the manufacturer advised my Department that, owing to problems in the manufacturing process, it had become temporarily unavailable both in Ireland and the UK. As soon as the manufacturers inform my Department that the problems have been resolved the product will be restored to the common list.

In the meantime, I have had inquiries made in the matter and I understand that an alternative product is available in community pharmacies for people who have been prescribed the original product.