Vol. 408 No. 9
77 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health the number of people who were in receipt of the drugs refund scheme prior to the withdrawal of the VHI; the amount involved in the last full year of its operation; and whether he has any plans to compensate those involved for the substantial weekly income losses as a result.
In the last full year in which it operated a total of 66,600 claims were paid under the out-patient scheme, the drugs element of which amounted to approximately £7 million.
The Deputy will be aware that assistance is available under the drug cost subsidisation scheme which I introduced in September 1990 which ensures that all persons who do not have a medical card or long term illness book and are certified as having a long term medical condition with regular and ongoing requirements for prescribed medicines, will not have to pay more than £32 per month to the pharmacist. I would like to point out that in addition the health boards give special consideration to persons who suffer undue hardship as a result of exceptional drug costs.
