Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 674: To ask the Minister for Health when a medical card will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10811/12]

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.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 675: To ask the Minister for Health when a medical card will be provided to persons (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10815/12]

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.

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 676: To ask the Minister for Health the reason a drug generally available to medical card holders has not been made available to a person (detail supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10820/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Pradaxa is available under the GMS Scheme, the Drug Payment Scheme and other community drugs 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 to provide for the 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 wrote to all GMS doctors and community pharmacy contractors in November 2011 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 clarification.