Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
713. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will give due consideration to the inclusion of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and other smoking cessation supports in the drug payment scheme, in light of the costs of smoking on the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33652/23]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the Community Drug Schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The Stop Smoking National Clinical Guideline, published in 2022, recommends Varenicline alone or in combination with Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) as a first-line treatment, and a combination of two forms of NRT if Varenicline is not available. Bubropion and single forms of NRT are recommended as second-line treatments.
Varenicline and Bubropion are currently included under both the General Medical Services Scheme (GMS) and the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS).
NRT is available under the GMS Scheme and is also available over-the-counter in pharmacy and retail settings. In order to reduce barriers to access for NRT, VAT was removed from all non-oral forms of NRT from 1st January 2023.
In February 2023, the HSE rolled out free stop smoking medication, such as NRT, to anyone availing of the Stop Smoking Service.
My Department will continue to monitor the framework for access to stop smoking medication in view of the Clinical Guideline and our continuing commitment to achieve a Tobacco Free Ireland.
