Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 513: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding an appeal against the decision to refuse an application for a full medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37084/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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Question 514: To ask the Minister for Health if it is the case that the medication Pradaxa, which is used to treat the condition pulmonary embolism, is no longer covered by the medical card; if so, the reason this is the case; if he will ensure that Pradaxa will continue to be covered by the medical card scheme in general and if he will grant the medication in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will agree that while the drug Warfarin is also used to treat this condition, for some people it is difficult to maintain INR levels on Warfarin, which means that people have to attend their GP weekly, thus incurring significantly more cost to the State, so that to force people on medical cards to use this instead of Pradaxa would be a very regressive measure. [37103/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Pradaxa capsules of 75mg and 110mg are available on prescription to patients availing of the GMS and the Drug Payment Schemes for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in adult patients who have undergone elective hip replacement surgery or elective knee replacement surgery.

The HSE is assessing the availability of resources in 2012 to consider long term treatment with Pradaxa capsules of 150mg for the prevention of stroke in patients with Atrial Fibrillation. This is a complicated process with long term implications. The HSE has written to all GMS doctors and community pharmacy contractors to clarify the position in relation to Pradaxa. The HSE will continue to update healthcare professionals in relation to the matter.

The HSE does not intend to disturb established therapeutic regimens for patients whose treatment with Pradaxa for the prevention of stroke was initiated prior to the recent clarification.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 515: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37113/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 516: To ask the Minister for Health when it is likely that a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37151/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 517: To ask the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37152/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.