asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each health board area who benefit from rebates under the drug refund scheme.
Written Answers . - Drug Refund Scheme .
845.
: The details available on the drugs refund scheme do not provide figures for individuals making claims but the number of claims made during the relevant year. The number of claims made during 1982 are as follows:
|
Health Board |
Number of Claims |
|
Eastern |
199,600 |
|
Midland |
17,000 |
|
Mid-Western |
32,900 |
|
North-Eastern |
26,700 |
|
North-Western |
14,400 |
|
South-Eastern |
44,400 |
|
Southern |
86,100 |
|
Western |
23,700 |
846.
asked the Minister for Health the estimated additional cost of providing drugs for those suffering from asthma under the long term illness scheme, having regard to the amount already paid by the Exchequer through the drugs refund scheme.
: The cost is dependent on the number of cases and the type of medication involved. While it is not possible to indicate these accurately, it is estimated that the additional cost involved could be of the order of IR£8 million which equals the total cost of the scheme in the present year.