Written answers

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Department of Health

Long-Term Illness Scheme

8:00 pm

Photo of Dan NevilleDan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 820: To ask the Minister for Health the medication for psychiatric illness included in the long-term illness scheme. [40832/11]

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The Long Term Illness Scheme provides patients with a specified illness with medicines and appliances for the treatment of that illness without charge.

The illnesses covered by the scheme are acute leukaemia, mental handicap, cerebral palsy, mental illness (in a person under 16), cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, parkinson's disease, epilepsy, phenylketonuria, haemophilia, spina bifida, muscular dystrophies, hydrocephalus and conditions arising from the use of thalidomide.

There are a number of medicines supplied under the Long Term Illness Scheme that can be used for the treatment of both mental illnesses and epilepsy or seizures. These medicines include lamotrigine, carbamazepine, pregabalin and clobazam. These medicines are only supplied under the Long Term Illness Scheme if the patient has one of the illnesses covered by the scheme. Patients aged 16 or over who require medication for the treatment of mental illness can obtain medicines under the GMS or Drug Payment Schemes.

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