asked the Minister for Health if he will include on the list of long term illnesses persons who have undergone open heart surgery and who will have to purchase expensive medication for the rest of their lives.

Since not all cases of open heart surgery require continuing medication I do not consider that it would be appropriate for inclusion in the long term illness scheme. In so far as patients do require medication following open heart surgery, they may avail themselves of the refund scheme. Under this scheme, expenditure in excess of £12 on drugs prescribed for use in a calendar month can be claimed back from health boards.