Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the status of funding for the new drug for people with multiple sclerosis (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17597/07]

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 reimbursed, 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. The product should be one which may be used under the supervision of a general medical practitioner and which is not restricted to hospital or medical specialist use.

Products are considered for reimbursement on application by a supplier. As the product referred to by the Deputy is licensed for hospital use only, it cannot be considered for inclusion on the common list. The provision of this drug to patients is a matter for decision by the hospital concerned. People who experience undue financial hardship in obtaining any particular product should contact the local area office of the Health Service Executive.