Medicinal Products

Tuesday, 24 March 2026

Ceisteanna (994)

Conor D. McGuinness

Ceist:

994. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if holders of a long-term illness card are entitled to receive blister packs (medication compliance aids) free of charge where they are clinically required; if this entitlement is provided for under the long-term illness scheme or other community drug schemes; the guidance that has been issued by the HSE to pharmacies in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22271/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 conditions to be covered by the Scheme. Further information, including the list of conditions, can be found at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/lti/about/

Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. Monitored Dosing Systems (MDS) are systems that enable the individual medicine doses to be organised according to the prescribed dose schedule. These are sometimes referred to as blister packs or compliance aids. The State has never funded monitored dosage systems for any cohort of patient, nor for any of the community drug schemes, including under the Long-Term Illness Scheme.