Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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478. To ask the Minister for Health if a doctor prescribes medication for a patient on a medical card that is available over the counter, does a pharmacist have to charge for that medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43014/15]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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480. To ask the Minister for Health the regulations for doctors and pharmacists in circumstances where the doctor prescribes medication for a patient on a medical card and that medication is also available without prescription over-the-counter; if it is within the pharmacist's discretion not to allow this medication to be covered by the medical card and to require the patient to incur the full cost of the over-the-counter medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43041/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 478 and 480 together.

Where a product prescribed for a patient with a Medical Card is the subject of an entry on the Reimbursement List, published pursuant to the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the pharmacist must dispense the product in accordance with the provisions of the Community Pharmacy Contractor Agreement.

Where a product is prescribed which does not appear on the Reimbursement List, but is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) item, the pharmacist could apply for authorisation under HSE Discretionary Hardship Arrangements. Alternatively, the pharmacist may indicate to the patient (or the patient’s carer) that the product can be purchased.