Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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1161. To ask the Minister for Health her plans to make a drug (details supplied) free; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2694/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Menopause is an important health and wellbeing issue which has been prioritised as part of the Government’s commitment to improved women’s health outcomes.

Much important work has been done in this area, driven by the Women’s Health Taskforce and the Women’s Health Action Plans, launched in 2022 and 2024.

The new Programme for Government: Securing Ireland’s Future continues to emphasise this important commitment to improving women’s health outcomes and experiences. This new HRT measure represents another step to widen access to menopause related treatments and services and follows on from all the other developments that have taken place over several years.

Budget 2025 announced the intention to fund the medicine cost of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) products prescribed to a woman to help manage the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause.

To enable this initiative, the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024 was signed into law in November 2024.

This legislation means that where a woman has been prescribed a HRT product by her healthcare provider to alleviate the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause, the cost of the HRT medications or products will be met by the State.

For the purpose of this measure, menopause means, in relation to a woman, the various stages for the treatment of menopause symptoms and includes perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause and medically induced menopause.

This measure will cover any HRT medications and products which are currently reimbursable by the HSE, which have been prescribed for the purposes of alleviating the symptoms of menopause. The cost of GP consultation fees and pharmacy dispensing fees are not included in the measure.

The Department of Health is working to introduce it as soon as possible.

There are a variety of non-HRT strategies and medicines, both over the counter and on prescription, which can be accessed by women who cannot or prefer not to use HRT. These options should be discussed with a GP, or in some cases an oncologist, to decide the best course of action. Some women experiencing complex symptoms may be referred to one of six Specialist Menopause Clinics for continued care.

The new state supported HRT measure relates only to HRT products for the treatment of menopause symptoms. The drug mentioned is not on the list of these HRT products.

However, there exist two schemes, administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) which assist people with their medical costs – these are the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, and the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS).

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under these schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

Reimbursable claims under both schemes are based on prescriptions which are transmitted to the pharmacist. The drug mentioned falls within the scope of these schemes.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card under the GMS Scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE.

In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.

Under the DPS no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for those who are not eligible for a medical card but incur ongoing expenditure on medicines.

There has been a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services over the last few years. This includes reductions in the DPS threshold, expansion of access to free GP care, and the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for children and adults. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.

Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1162. To ask the Minister for Health her plans to make a drug (details supplied) free. [2695/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Menopause is an important health and wellbeing issue which has been prioritised as part of the Government’s commitment to improved women’s health outcomes.

Much important work has been done in this area, driven by the Women’s Health Taskforce and the Women’s Health Action Plans, launched in 2022 and 2024.

The new Programme for Government: Securing Ireland’s Future continues to emphasise this important commitment to improving women’s health outcomes and experiences. This new HRT measure represents another step to widen access to menopause related treatments and services and follows on from all the other developments that have taken place over several years.

Budget 2025 announced the intention to fund the medicine cost of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) products prescribed to a woman to help manage the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause.

To enable this initiative, the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024 was signed into law in November 2024.

This legislation means that where a woman has been prescribed a HRT product by her healthcare provider to alleviate the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause, the cost of the HRT medications or products will be met by the State.

For the purpose of this measure, menopause means, in relation to a woman, the various stages for the treatment of menopause symptoms and includes perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause and medically induced menopause.

This measure will cover any HRT medications and products which are currently reimbursable by the HSE, which have been prescribed for the purposes of alleviating the symptoms of menopause. The cost of GP consultation fees and pharmacy dispensing fees are not included in the measure.

The Department of Health is working to introduce it as soon as possible.

There are a variety of non-HRT strategies and medicines, both over the counter and on prescription, which can be accessed by women who cannot or prefer not to use HRT. These options should be discussed with a GP, or in some cases an oncologist, to decide the best course of action. Some women experiencing complex symptoms may be referred to one of six Specialist Menopause Clinics for continued care.

The new state supported HRT measure relates only to HRT products for the treatment of menopause symptoms. The drug mentioned is not on the list of these HRT products.

However, there exist two schemes, administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) which assist people with their medical costs – these are the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, and the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS).

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under these schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

Reimbursable claims under both schemes are based on prescriptions which are transmitted to the pharmacist. The drug mentioned falls within the scope of these schemes.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card under the GMS Scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE.

In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.

Under the DPS no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for those who are not eligible for a medical card but incur ongoing expenditure on medicines.

There has been a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services over the last few years. This includes reductions in the DPS threshold, expansion of access to free GP care, and the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for children and adults. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.

Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1163. To ask the Minister for Health her plans to reduce the cost of breast cancer and endocrine medication. [2696/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical items, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

There are two schemes, administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) which assist people with their medical costs – these are the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, and the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS). Reimbursable claims under both these schemes are based on prescriptions which are transmitted to the pharmacist.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card under the GMS Scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. Medical cards may be subject to review and medical reports may be needed to support the renewal or continuation of the eligibility.

Under the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for those who are not eligible for a medical card but incur ongoing expenditure on medicines. In some cases, when applying for a DPS card, a medical report for any family member who cannot maintain themselves may be required.

In 2023, further measures have facilitated better access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, including the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for adults.

Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.