Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason health maintaining products such as cod liver oil and quinine tablets are not covered on the medical card as their preventative benefits are proven; and her views on introducing a more prevention oriented approach to the GMS scheme. [18459/07]

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. Products are considered for reimbursement on application by a supplier.

Cod liver oil and quinine tablets are not currently reimbursable through the state schemes. Any application by a supplier to these products included on the common list will be considered in the usual way.

People who experience undue financial hardship in obtaining any particular product should contact the local area office of the Health Service Executive.