Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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750. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that the drug cariban is not available free of charge to pregnant women who are suffering with sickness during pregnancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4803/23]

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, 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) – 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.