Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the drug pradaxa and its prescription for medical card patients presenting with atrial fibrillation; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Service Executive has informed patients that they must pay for this drug; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that pradaxa is clinically safer for many patients than warfarin; if he will ensure full and equal access to pradaxa for medical card patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40226/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Pradaxa is available on prescription to patients availing of the GMS and the Drug Payment Schemes for the prevention of blood clots 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 for the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. This is a complicated process with long term implications. The HSE will also take into account any clinical differences between Pradaxa and alternative anticoagulants. 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.