Written answers
Wednesday, 14 June 2023
Department of Health
Medicinal Products
Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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167. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware that Solpadine and its generic equivalents can only be dispensed in capsule form, usually in 60 capsule packs, and not in soluble form to medical card holders to whom it has been prescribed, which is causing problems among those for whom swallowing capsules/tablets would be difficult, if not impossible, and that pharmacists, having informed the medical card holder of this issue, are saying to the person that they can sell the soluble version to them over the counter at a cost of approximately €14 per pack of 24 (details supplied); if he can arrange for the soluble version to be available on the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28792/23]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the Community Drug Schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
The HSE advise that Solpadeine capsules in packs of 32 and Solpadeine Soluble tablets in packs of 60 are currently on the reimbursement list.
Medical card holders should be able to access both of these products subject to the payment of the statutory prescription charge. To access other Solpadeine products that are in stock but not on the reimbursement list, they would have to pay.
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