Toddy O'Sullivan
Question:72 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to change the drug refund schemes currently in operation.
Written Answers. - Drug Refund Schemes.
The drugs refund scheme is intended to provide assistance towards the cost of prescribed drugs and medicines for persons who do not have entitlement to free drugs under the General Medical Services Medical Card Scheme. The refund scheme currently operates on the basis that any expenditure on prescribed drugs and medicines in excess of £90 per calendar quarter will be refunded.
The Drug Cost Subsidisation Scheme operates on the basis that persons who have been certified as being in need of continuing medication can avail of the scheme and will not have to spend more than £32 per month at their pharmacy, as the balance of their expenditure will be claimed directly by the pharmacist from the GMS (Payments) Board. Over 20,000 people are currently availing of this scheme.
It is normal practice to scrutinise the funding of all public services in the context of annual departmental estimates and the operation of these schemes is being reviewed within this context.