Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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301. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the prescription of a medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62848/22]

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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388. To ask the Minister for Health if he will allow a consultant to prescribe cariban, pyridoxine and doxylamine; and if his Department will engage directly with organisations (details supplied) and other expert bodies on the best way to implement same to maximise patient care. [63097/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 301, 317 and 388 together.

As part of Budget 2023, I announced €32.2 million in funding for Women’s Health Initiatives in 2023, to include dedicated funding for Cariban® (doxylamine/pyridoxine). Cariban® is an Exempt Medicinal Product i.e. not licensed with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) in Ireland. Following the recommendations of the HSE Medicines Management Programme, this product will be made available on an individual patient basis for those patients who meet the criteria under Community Drug Schemes (GMS, DPS) from January 2023 where Consultant Obstetrician initiated.

Under Community Drug Schemes, Exempt Medicinal Products must be Consultant initiated. However, whilst the original prescriber is a Consultant and specialist in the relevant field, the HSE will accept a GP prescription further to the initial hospital prescription for approved patients.