Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will reverse the decision to cease the provision of gluten-free products on prescription for medical card patients with coeliac disease or if he will provide equivalent alternative supports or measures for coeliac patients, in view of the excessive cost of gluten-free products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40989/12]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is the holder of a medical card is no longer able to receive certain medicines under their medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41115/12]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health the prescription medicines that are no longer covered by the medical card following a recent decision; if treatment for certain conditions (details supplied) are now excluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41153/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 184 and 195 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 become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of reimbursable items. These include glucosamine, omega-3 triglyceride products, and gluten-free products.

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.

Omega-3 triglyceride products have been identified both nationally and internationally as not being cost effective or being of lesser benefit to patients. However, these products are also available over the counter without prescriptions.

Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies. A Supplementary Welfare Allowance Adult Diet Supplement may be awarded by the Department of Social Protection to eligible persons. Persons wishing to apply for this allowance can do so by completing an application form which can be downloaded at the following link: . Separate application forms are available for children. For persons who are not awarded a Diet Supplement, monies spent on gluten-free foods can be taken into account for tax purposes.