Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 124: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on Parliamentary Question No. 165 of 5 April 2006 namely that the drugs in question were given on a prescription basis by a consultant dermatologist in place of cortisone or steroid prescription medication; her further views on whether natural prescriptions when prescribed by a consultant are a better idea; if, in view of this she will consider including same on the drugs repayment scheme and the medical card scheme. [16798/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As previously stated, 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. A copy of the criteria will be forwarded to the Deputy for his information 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.