Written answers
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Department of Health
Medicinal Products
Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1380. To ask the Minister for Health the consequences for the rollout of free HRT with the shortages of the drug estradot in Irish pharmacies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46580/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
As part of Budget 2025, the Minister for Health announced a new initiative wherein the cost of HRT products or medicines will be paid for by the State. This new measure aims to relieve some of the cost burden associated with HRT products. This is supported by a €20m per annum investment.
To enable this initiative, the was signed into law in November 2024. Under this legislation the Irish government will fund the product or medicine cost of HRT products prescribed to women to help manage any stage of menopause. For the purpose of this measure, menopause means the various stages for the treatment of menopause symptoms and includes perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause, and medically induced menopause.
This measure is for women who have been prescribed HRT by their healthcare provider and it applies to HRT products reimbursable by the HSE under the Community Drug Schemes, including the Drugs Payment Scheme and General Medical Services Scheme.
The cost of GP consultation fees and pharmacy dispensing fees are not included in the measure. Medical card holders will not be required to pay dispensing fees in respect of their HRT products obtained but will continue to pay prescription fees for the items as is current practice.
The Department of Health continues to engage and work with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Pharmacy Union on the practical implementation of the .
In relation to shortages of medicinal products, the Department is aware of the stress that shortages of medicines can cause for patients and healthcare professionals alike, thusly managing and mitigating medicine shortages is the subject of several workstreams across the Department and wider health service.
Ireland has a multi-stakeholder Medicines Shortages Framework in place, operated by our medicines regulator, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) on behalf of the Department of Health. The framework aims to help prevent potential shortages from occurring and to reduce the impact of shortages on patients by coordinating the management of potential or actual shortages as they arise.
Sandoz Pharmaceuticals d.d., the company responsible for supplying Estradot, has notified the HPRA of a shortage of Estradot 50 micrograms/24hours transdermal patches due to a manufacturing delay. This manufacturing delay is impacting upon supply in multiple countries. The shortage is expected to be resolved on 28th February 2025.
Theramex Ireland Limited, the company responsible for supplying Evorel, has notified the HPRA of a shortage of Evorel 50 micrograms/ 24 hours transdermal patches due to an unexpected increase in demand impacting Ireland only. This shortage is expected to be resolved on 15th February 2025.
The HPRA maintains a list of current and resolved shortages on its . The webpage is updated daily as the HPRA receives new information.
No comments