Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 457: To ask the Minister for Health the reason the cost of the drug Dona, commonly used by those suffering from arthritis in Ireland, is over six times more expensive than the drug Xicil, which is identical and used widely by those suffering from arthritis in other countries including Spain; and if there is scope for savings to his Department by substituting Xicil for Dona. [29480/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The medicinal product Xicil, which contains the active ingredient glucosamine, is not authorised for the Irish market. However, there are over twenty medicinal products containing glucosamine which are authorised for the Irish market.

Pharmaceutical companies can apply to the HSE for products to be reimbursed under the GMS Scheme and other community drugs schemes. In order for a medicinal product to be considered for reimbursement it must meet specified criteria. The medicinal product must be authorised for the Irish market 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. In addition, the product should not be advertised or promoted to the public.

Eight products containing glucosamine are available for reimbursement under the GMS and other community drugs schemes, including the brand Dona. The reimbursement price of Dona Sachets 1500mg has been reduced from €32.19 in February 2008 to €11.52 as a result of a range of measures taken by my Department and the HSE to lower the costs of medicines for both taxpayers and patients.