Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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1262. To ask the Minister for Health if women who have hyperemesis gravidarum and are prescribed Cariban by their general practitioner which will be funded from 1 January 2023, will receive Cariban free of charge, as per the funding for women's health initiatives in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63585/22]

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.