Gino Kenny urges GP prescribing for Caraban to treat hyperemesis
Gino Kenny raised constituent concerns about a non-licensed drug called Caraban to treat hyperemesis and urged that GPs be allowed to prescribe it to improve timely access. He highlighted that budgetary reimbursement announced by the Minister is limited to consultant prescriptions, leaving many women without early access.
Constituent report
A constituent contacted the deputy about Caraban, a non-licensed drug intended to treat hyperemesis. Deputy Richmond had raised the issue previously with the Minister, and the deputy said he was slightly unclear about the current situation for the drug.
Clinical timing and access
The deputy noted that hyperemesis typically begins in the first weeks of pregnancy, while most women only see a consultant after 12 weeks. That timing means many sufferers may be unable to access a consultant-prescribed, reimbursed medicine during the crucial early period.
Budget reimbursement detail
The deputy acknowledged that in this year’s budget the Minister announced the drug would be reimbursed. However, the reimbursement as announced applies only when the drug is prescribed by a consultant and not by a GP.
Call for GP prescribing
Those who contacted the deputy asked that GPs be allowed to prescribe Caraban so the medicine is accessible and reimbursed much more quickly than at present. The deputy framed GP prescribing as a potential way to speed treatment for early pregnancies affected by severe vomiting.
Official follow-up promised
A responding speaker said they were aware of the medicine and of hyperemesis as a very serious, debilitating illness in pregnancy and that they were unsure of the rationale for restricting prescribing to consultants. They said they would have their office take the matter up with the Minister of Health's office and would come back with a further reply.
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I have been contacted by a constituent in regards to a non-licensed drug called Caraban to treat hyperemesis. I know Deputy Richmond raised this yesterday with the Minister. I am slightly unclear what the situation with this drug is. This condition, as you know, is an extreme vomiting in pregnancy and very dangerous for both baby and mother. In this year's budget, the Minister announced that the drug would be reimbursed, which is very, very welcome. However, this is only a reimbursement prescribed by a consultant and not a GP. The condition generally begins in the first number of weeks of pregnancy. So most women will only see a consultant after 12 weeks in relation to their pregnancy. And what the women that have contacted myself and probably other TDs is that they want GPs to be allowed to prescribe the drug. So it's obviously accessible and reimbursed much, much quicker than it is at the moment. Thanks, Deputy. I'm aware of the medicine, which is a treatment for hyperemesis. Gravita, which is a very serious debilitating illness in pregnancy if somebody has a misfortune to experience it. I'm not sure what the rationale is for not allowing GPs to prescribe it. GPs routinely deal with pregnancies of all sorts, particularly early pregnancies. So I'm not sure if there is a good reason for it or not. But being unaware, I really don't want to comment any further, but I'll certainly get my office, take it up with the Minister of Health's office and come back to you with a further reply. Deputy Clerk. Deputy Clerk.
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