I would like to ask about the medication, Cariban, which is used to treat the condition of hyperemesis during pregnancy. Hyperemesis is a very debilitating condition in which women experience almost constant vomiting and nausea for the duration of their pregnancy. Cariban has proven to be very effective in treating it, but it can cost up to €45 a week, or between €1,500 and €3,000 over the course of a pregnancy, which, I am sure the Minister will agree, is unaffordable. Unlike other drugs that the State pays for partially or completely, Cariban is classed as a supplement and that seems to be the issue here.

I understand there has been some progress in the past couple of days. Could the Minister give us an update on how we could make this drug more affordable to the pregnant women who really need it?

I thank Deputy Higgins for raising this issue, which I know is so important for so many pregnant women all over the country. I am aware the matter has been raised with the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, on a number of occasions. He and his officials in the Department have been working with the HSE to bring about a solution. I believe he is optimistic that a solution can be implemented. I anticipate he will have something to say publicly about that very shortly.