Hyperemesis drug cost
Deputy Fitzpatrick argued that women with hyperemesis gravidarum were being forced to pay too much for Cariban and compared the situation with access to abortion pills. The Ceann Comhairle twice called time, and the Minister later replied that the drug was unlicensed and that licensed products for pregnant women were funded.
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a serious and debilitating illness that affects fewer than 1% of women during pregnancy. It is an extreme form of morning sickness where the infected woman is unable to tolerate even moderate amounts of food, including water. Although the condition improves after three months for some women, for others the condition lasts for the full nine months.
Cariban is a drug prescribed to women with this illness. It is very effective in improving some women's symptoms. Unfortunately, it is very expensive, costing more than €200 per month. As it is not a licensed drug, it is not covered by any of the HSE schemes, such as the drugs payment scheme, or the medical card. Many women are unable to afford Cariban and are forced to suffer unnecessarily during their pregnancies. The drug is now being advertised online. In a speech the Minister, Deputy Harris, gave on 17 January 2018, he asked, "Is it acceptable to any of us that women are once again left in a lonely and scary place sending off for a pill to be sent through the post instead of being able to access the medical advice and support they need?" This is happening in Ireland today. That is a fact. How can we ignore this? How we can consider it all right? Of course, on that occasion-----
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-----the Minister was referring to the abortion pill. If it is unacceptable for a woman to be forced to source a pill online to terminate her pregnancy, surely it is unacceptable for a woman to be forced, due to the cost, to source drugs online-----
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-----to help bring her pregnancy successfully to full term.