John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to include herbal and alternative medicines in the drugs treatment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10407/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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In order for a medicinal product to be considered by the HSE for reimbursement under the Drugs Payment Scheme it must meet specified criteria. These include the following. The product must be an 'allopathic' medicinal product authorised by the Irish Medicines Board or the European Commission. The product must be such that it is ordinarily supplied to the public only on foot of a medical prescription. The product should not be advertised or promoted to the public. Herbal and alternative medicines do not meet these criteria and as such are not reimbursable under the Drugs Payment Scheme.