Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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1412. To ask the Minister for Health his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the hyperemesis gravidarum drug, cariban, for pregnant women in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1151/23]

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1444. To ask the Minister for Health the reasoning behind the decision to fund the Hyperemesis gravidarum drug cariban for three months of pregnancy only; if there are plans to extend for the duration of pregnancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1290/23]

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1448. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the status of plans to reimburse pregnant people for the costs of the Hyperemesis Gravidarum drug Cariban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1297/23]

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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1510. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the provision of free medication for women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum (details supplied). [1538/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1412, 1444, 1448 and 1510 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). The dedicated funding for Cariban® will help women who experience hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness, during pregnancy. Cariban® is an Exempt Medicinal Product, i.e., it is not licensed with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) in Ireland.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Following the recommendations of the HSE Medicines Management Programme, Cariban® is now available on an individual patient basis for those patients who meet the criteria under the community drug schemes – the General Medical Services scheme (GMS) and the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) – from January 2023 where Consultant Obstetrician initiated. 

Under the community drug schemes, Exempt Medicinal Products must be Consultant initiated.  However, whilst the original prescriber of Cariban® must be a Consultant and specialist in the relevant field, the HSE will accept a GP prescription subsequent to the initial hospital prescription for approved patients.