Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 165: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she intends to include certain ointments and creams (details supplied) to the list of medication which is currently available to medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13585/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The common list of reimbursable medicines for the general medical services and drug payment schemes is reviewed and amended monthly, as new products become available and deletions are notified. For an item to be included on the list, it must comply with published criteria, including authorisation status as 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.

As the products referred to by the Deputy are available without prescription, they cannot be considered for inclusion on the common list of reimbursable drugs and medicines. People with a medical card who are experiencing financial difficulty in obtaining the products concerned should contact the local office of the Health Service Executive.