Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason smokers' chewing gum and other treatments which assist people to give up smoking are not listed for the drugs refunds scheme; if she has plans to have them so listed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27824/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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A common list of reimbursable medicines is in place for the General Medical Services and Drug Payment schemes to ensure equity in relation to the range of medicines paid for by the State under both schemes. In order for a product to be reimbursable under the two schemes, it must satisfy a number of criteria, including that it is ordinarily supplied to the public only by medical prescription and that it should not be advertised or promoted to the public. Nicotine replacement therapies belong to a category of products that would not normally satisfy these criteria, in that they are generally available over-the-counter, and may be advertised directly to the public.

Nicotine replacement therapies are available to medical card holders since April 2001 on foot of recommendations made by the Cardiovascular Health Strategy Group and the Advisory Forum established to support the Task Force in the implementation of the strategy. Evidence shows that lower socio-economic groups have a higher incidence of smoking, spend a higher proportion of disposable income on tobacco, and, in general, their health is worse.

Therefore, it was considered that this group is in greatest need of assistance in helping them to quit the habit. Accordingly, and in light of the recommendations that were made, it was decided, as an exceptional measure, to make the full range of nicotine replacement therapies available on prescription to medical card holders. There are no plans to extend this to the Drug Payment Scheme.