Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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201. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the reason medications (details supplied) are no longer available under the medical card scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the impact this is having on persons that suffer from macular degeneration and that now pay in excess of €17 per month to access this drug; his plans to reverse this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21309/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In June 2016, the HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) reviewed the clinical evidence available on the effectiveness of eye supplements for people with macular degeneration. The MMP then recommended that the HSE does not reimburse these products.

The manufacturer of Macushield and Ocuvite lutein indicated that it had further evidence to provide. After reviewing this additional evidence, the MMP did not change its original recommendation.

The clinical community of ophthalmologists also had an opportunity, at the end of 2016, to provide to the MMP any clinical evidence considered relevant. No clinical evidence that would change the MMP’s original recommendation was provided and the HSE ceased reimbursement support for eye supplements from 1 January 2017.