Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Health if the drug Nalcrom is still available under the drug payment scheme; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29829/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The company that manufactures the drug Nalcrom has discontinued the product in Ireland and it is no longer authorised for marketing in Ireland. In view of this the product is no longer available for reimbursement under the GMS and community drugs schemes.

In order for a medicinal product to be added to the List of Reimbursable Items maintained by the HSE for reimbursement under the GMS and community drugs schemes it must meet specified criteria. These include the following:

· The product must be a medicinal product authorised 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.

· The product should not be advertised or promoted to the public.

However, the HSE operates a protocol under which unlicensed medicines, which satisfy specific criteria, are made available to patients. A patient who wishes to obtain medication under this protocol should discuss the matter with their pharmacist in the first instance.