Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a product (details supplied) is not available on the medical card in view of the fact that many elderly persons require the eye treatment on a permanent basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40868/06]

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 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.

Any application by a supplier to have Ocuvite included on the common list will be considered in the usual way. People with a medical card who experience undue financial hardship in obtaining any product which is not on the common list should contact the local area of the Health Service Executive.