Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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2571. To ask the Minister for Health if a medication for post-excision management of endometriosis (details supplied) will be added to the drug payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46792/25]

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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2572. To ask the Minister for Health if she will ensure that the importance of long-term medication access for women recovering from severe endometriosis is recognised; if she will prioritise investment in multidisciplinary care pathways to reduce the long-term cost burden on the health system by preventing repeat surgeries as a result of endometriosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46793/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. When added to the reimbursement list, medication approved for treatment of endometriosis symptoms can be accessed by those with medical card eligibility or by those who are eligible for the Drugs Payment Scheme.

The Programme for Government commits to continue to expand specialist services in endometriosis.

Women affected by complex and severe endometriosis are provided with expert treatment in two supra-regional specialist endometriosis centres located in Tallaght University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital.

Specialist endometriosis services are multidisciplinary in nature, with a focus on a holistic approach to care and with access to specialised complex surgery as and when clinically indicated.

Recognising the wide-ranging impact of the condition, multi-disciplinary teams have been funded to deliver holistic, person-centred care. These include consultant roles in colorectal, urology, and radiology, along with women’s health physiotherapists, dieticians, psychologists, specialist nurses, and healthcare assistants.

Work is ongoing to improve long term expertise and to build adequate future capacity and other supports within our specialist endometriosis services.