Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 393: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will make arrangements whereby nebulisers needed for the proper administration of medication will be covered under the drug refund scheme in order that people with prescribed medications can avail of same without hardship. [20616/07]

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

The reimbursement of expenditure incurred on prescribed drugs, such as the medication required for use in the nebuliser, is provided for in Section 59 of the Health Act, 1970. Subsection (2) of this Act formed the basis for the Drug Cost Subsidisation Scheme (DCSS) and the Drug Refund Scheme (DRS), which were merged into the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) in 1999. This section provides for the making by the Health Service Executive (HSE) of arrangements to recoup a part (if any) of expenditure that may be incurred by a person with limited eligibility (i.e. a non medical card holder ) on drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances, approved for the purposes of this section.

The list of reimbursable medicines for the General Medical Services Scheme (GMS) and the DPS is reviewed monthly, as new products become available and deletions are notified. For an item to be reimbursed it must comply with a published list of criteria. These criteria include authorisation status where 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 nebulisers do not require a Product Authorisation from the Irish Medicines Board, they cannot be considered for reimbursement under the schemes.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP card, which covers the cost of general practice consultations.