It has been announced that almost 2,000 women will soon be receiving a reimbursement for a drug that helps to ease severe sickness during pregnancy.
1,621 women have been accepted for the reimbursement scheme, which centres around the drug Cariban. The medication was previously not accessible through the drugs payment scheme or a medical card.
The news comes after a lengthy campaign by women who have suffered with severe vomiting in pregnancy, known as the condition Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). While morning sickness is common for many women during pregnancy, HG can be relentless and can lead to hospitalisation.
For mums-to-be who suffer with HG, the cost of a Cariban prescription can be up to €3,000 throughout their pregnancy, making it unaffordable for many.
In Budget 2023, the Government stated that €1.3M would be allocated for Cariban reimbursements, meaning that pregnant women would be able to access the drug for free from this year.
However, despite the positive step forward, campaigners have raised concerns that they are still unable to access the drug without initial approval from their consultant.
Listening to their frustrations, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly confirmed that he has ordered the HSE to conduct a review of the scheme, to be completed this month.
“On the recognition that women suffering hyperemesis gravidarum may need access to Cariban before their first consultation with their specialist/obstetrician, and in light of the fact that GPs prescribe Cariban to private patients without an initial prescription from a specialist, I have asked the HSE to review the current arrangement and report back to me,” he stated.
Minister Donnelly also added that the approval for reimbursement will depend on the dosage prescribed to each expectant mum, as well as the length of time that Cariban is used by each woman.
