Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 410: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason doses of vitamin B12 for injection have recently been removed from the list of products covered by a medical card; if this item will be restored to the list in view of the hardship which this imposes on persons on low incomes. [1739/06]

Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 419: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a drug (details supplied) will be restored to the GMS list of medicines on a long term basis. [1802/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 419 together.

The vitamin B12 products concerned, cytamen and neo-cytamen, were removed from the common list of reimbursable drugs and medicines when the manufacturer advised my Department that, because of problems in the manufacturing process, they had become temporarily unavailable both in Ireland and the UK. The manufacturer has informed my Department that the problems with one of the products, cytamen, have now been resolved and it will now be restored to the common list. Neo-cytamen is still unavailable.

An alternative product, cobalin H, is available in community pharmacies for people who have been prescribed the original product. Cobalin H is reimbursable under the drug payment scheme. It is a matter for the relevant area of the Health Service Executive to make arrangements for its reimbursement when prescribed for and dispensed to medical cardholders.