Online approval of Oral Nutritional Supplements
Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) have shown to be effective in the evidence-based management of disease related malnutrition. Over the years, through constant innovation, Nutricia has developed a unique range of ONS to meet specific nutritional requirements in patients with a range of medical conditions. As our products are tailored to meet specific patient needs, the majority of ONS should not be considered as interchangeable.
We have been made aware that from the 1st of July 2019, the HSE has introduced changes to the way that some standard ONS are reimbursed on the medical card or drugs payment scheme card. All products will still be available after this date; however, some may require online approval by your patients’ GP going forward. If online approval is required for a product, this needs to be completed once every 6 months.
What does this mean for your patients?
We have received a number of calls requesting clarity on this system and so we would like to confirm which products from the Nutricia range require on-line approval, those on ‘List B’ as communicated by the HSE, and which products don’t require on-line approval. We have also included this list to download above if you wish to print it for ongoing reference.
| Nutricia Products that DO NOT require approval via online reimbursement system | |
| Adult Oral Nutritional Supplements | Fortisip Compact Protein 125ml |
| Fortisip Compact 125ml | |
| Fortisip Compact Fibre 125ml | |
| Cubitan 200ml | |
| Calogen 200ml/500ml | |
| Fortisip Extra 200ml | |
| Diasip 200ml | |
| Renilon 7.5 125ml | |
| Forticare 125ml | |
| Respifor 125ml | |
| Elemental 028 Extra 250ml/100g sachet | |
| Complan Shake 57g sachet | |
| Modular range (Polycal, Protifar, Super Soluble Duocal, Super Soluble Maxijul) | |
| Nutilis Clear and Nutilis Powder | |
| Nutilis Complete Level 3 (Old Stage 1) 125ml | |
| Adult Tube feeds (Nutrison range & specialised Nutrison Advanced Formula) | |
| Infant & Paediatric Feeds | Paediatric ONS and tube feeds (Nutrini, Fortini and Tentrini range) |
| Infatrini range | |
| Nutricia Products that DO require approval via online reimbursement system i.e. those on 'List B' | |
| Adult Oral Nutritional Supplements | Fortisip 200ml |
| Fortisip Yoghurt Style 200ml | |
| Nutrison Energy Multi Fibre 200ml | |
| Fortisip 2Kcal 200ml | |
| Fortijuce 200ml | |
| Forticreme Complete 125g | |
| Nutilis Fruit Level 4 (Old Stage 3) 150g | |
| Scandishake 85g | |
If the product requires online approval, the prescription approval is valid for up to a 6-month period.
If the product does not require online approval, it can be prescribed in the usual way.
The PCRS communicated the following to stakeholders;
“You are reminded that prior approval for reimbursement under GMS and Community Drug Schemes does not apply to any other clinical nutritional product outside of List B.”
Anne Marie Hoey, Primary Care Reimbursement and Eligibility, June 2019
We trust that you find this information useful. Please contact us with any queries on 1800 412414 or via email at dietitians.ireland@nutricia.com.