Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on making nicotine patches and so on available on the drugs refund scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34995/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on making nicotine patches free of charge as part of an anti-smoking campaign to reduce the number of deaths and serious illnesses related to cigarette smoking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34996/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together.

In order for a product to be reimbursable under the General Medical Services and Drug Payment schemes it must satisfy a number of criteria, including that it is ordinarily supplied to the public only by medical prescription and that it is not advertised or promoted to the public. Nicotine replacement therapies would not normally satisfy these criteria, in that they are generally available over-the-counter, and may be advertised directly to the public. Notwithstanding this, 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 and spend a higher proportion of disposable income on tobacco. It was considered that this group is in greatest need of assistance in helping them to quit the habit. Accordingly, it was decided, as an exceptional measure, to make nicotine replacement therapies available on prescription to medical card holders. There are no plans to extend this to the Drug Payment Scheme.