Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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1712. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider reviewing the reimbursement of the anti-nausea drug pyridoxine, doxylamine commonly known by the brand name cariban for those who are pregnant; if he will consider making it available for non-consultant doctors to prescribe to any pregnant persons suffering nausea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2315/23]

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