Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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214. To ask the Minister for Health the cost to the State of funding for care and support services for multiple sclerosis patients, such as physiotherapy and specialist counselling, in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54490/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Health budgets are not routinely broken down to the level of individual conditions such as multiple sclerosis. The specialist disability services programme in the Health Service Executive spends around €1.5 billion each year. Specialist disability services provided by the HSE include a wide range of services/supports including assessment of need, community nursing, therapy supports, day services, respite supports, assisted living supports and residential services.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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215. To ask the Minister for Health the number of multiple sclerosis patients receiving injectable beta-interferon treatment in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the cost to the Health Service Executive of those treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54491/13]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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216. To ask the Minister for Health the prescribing guidelines for the various disease modifying treatments for patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis; the extent to which he believes these guidelines are being adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54492/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.

The following table sets out the number of multiple sclerosis patients who received injectable beta-interferon treatment in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 and the cost to the Health Service Executive of those treatments:

In regard to prescribing practises, a Medicines Management Programme (MMP) has been established by the HSE to provide sustained national leadership in this area.

The aims of the MMP include (a) ensuring that patients have access to the essential medicines that they need; (b) facilitating more cost-effective prescribing with initiatives in relation to high-cost medicines; (c) ensuring value for money in relation to medicines; and (d) enhancing evidence based prescribing and optimising patient safety through a reduction in medication related adverse events.

The issue of prescribing guidelines for multiple sclerosis treatments has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.