Asthma-sufferers could be among those to benefit if a proposal by the State's health boards to widen the list of drugs available on the medical card is accepted by the Department of Health, it has emerged.
The Association of Health Boards of Ireland passed a motion that a list of items, including treatments for dermatological or asthma-related conditions be added to the General Medical Services Scheme (GMS) or Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS).
Many regularly prescribed medical items could soon be available to patients under the schemes following thedecision last week.
The motion has been sent to the Department of Health for consideration by the Minister.
Progressive Democrats Councillor Tim O’Malley said: "The non-inclusion of these important medicines is causing hardship for many patients, particularly medical card holders".
Mr O’Malley suggested a small committee, theoretically containing one person from the Irish Medical Organisation, a member of Irish Pharmaceutical Union and a nominee from the GMS Payments Board, could quickly make decisions on which medicines should be included.
Among the items on the list are adrenaline injections, coaltar pomade, peak flow meters, quinine sulphate tablets, syndol tablets, alphosal lotion, aerochambers, xyoclaine gel and pauldrine tablets.
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