Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the availability of a drug (details supplied) under the medical card and drug payment scheme; the conditions in respect of which it is prescribed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48038/08]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the benefits of using a low dose of a drug (details supplied) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in patients here; if she will establish a clinical trial in order to assess its benefits in the treatment of the disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48039/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 353 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the drug mentioned by him is not reimbursed under the General Medical Services and community drug schemes. However, there is a drug which contains the ingredient of the drug mentioned, which is reimbursable under the schemes.

The specific drug mentioned by the Deputy is only authorised as a medicinal product in Ireland as an additional therapy, within a comprehensive medical and psychological treatment programme, for detoxified patients who have been opioid-dependent. It is not authorised in Ireland or member states of the European Union for the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis. An application for a clinical trial would have to be submitted by the manufacturer or a clinician to the Irish Medicines Board with the relevant supporting document. The trial would have to receive ethics approval and be supervised by a consultant neurologist.