Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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1520. To ask the Minister for Health if there is capacity to include medications that have been prescribed by a general practitioner or consultant for off licence use on the medical card or drug payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33859/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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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 Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

The HSE maintains a reimbursement list of medicinal products that are provided under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme. These products are approved for the schemes by the HSE.

In line with the criteria under Section 3 of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, only products that are generally prescribed by a medical practitioner are on this list.

However, medical card holders who are prescribed items that are not on the list can apply to the local HSE health office to have them covered under the discretionary hardship arrangements.

Applications under the discretionary hardship arrangements must be made by the treating clinician. It is essential that the application states that the product is essential for the treatment of the patients condition. Alternatively, the clinician may wish to prescribe a product which is covered under the GMS.