Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1155. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address the issue of the drug cariban used in pregnancy to treat hyperemesis gravidarium (details supplied). [63144/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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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.