Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if Omacol tablets for heart problems were previously issued under the medical card scheme; and the reason it is no longer so [43013/12]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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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 omega-3 triglyceride products.

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