Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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788. To ask the Minister for Health the total saving achieved per annum by removing the cost of gluten free products from medical cards since the cut was introduced in 2012; and his plans to review this policy. [13073/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly on the issue of savings.

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. Coeliac patients can also claim medical expenses tax relief on expenditure incurred on gluten-free products manufactured specifically for coeliacs. There are no plans to reinstate these products on the list of reimbursable items under the GMS and other community drug schemes.