Written answers

Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Department of Health

Medicinal Products

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health the reason a medication (details supplied) is no longer available on the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40178/12]

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if Oesteoeze is covered by the medical card and drug payment scheme; if he will commit to ensuring that it is, in view of the relative expense and clinical importance of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40381/12]

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health if there are any alternative glucosamine products available to medical card holders free of charge under the GMS scheme since the recent removal of a drug, Dona, from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40500/12]

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 418, 450 and 461 together.

In the current financial environment the Health Service Executive (HSE) is facing a challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, it has been necessary to suspend from the HSE Reimbursement List certain products which have been found not be cost effective. Glucosamine is indicated for the management of symptoms of osteoarthritis. The National Centre for Pharmoeconomics (NCPE) have assessed the cost-effectiveness of glucosamine on two occasions and concluded that it did not offer value for money to the HSE. However, glucosamine products are available over the counter without prescriptions.

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