Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 6

Written Answers. - Drugs Schemes.

Michael Bell

Question:

430 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health the reason for the apparent anomaly between the drugs refund scheme and the drug cost subsidisation scheme whereby expenditure on prescribed drugs by dependants is allowed under the drug refund scheme but not under the drugs cost subsidisation scheme except by applying for a refund which takes up to three months in the North Eastern Health Board area; whether this anomaly is contrary to good policy as described on page 22 of an information guide to our health service (details supplied). [513/94]

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

Under the drugs refund scheme, which covers expenditure by the whole family, any expenditure on prescribed medication above £90 for use in a calendar quarter is refunded by the health board. Health boards endeavour to make refunds as quickly as possible and I have been informed by the North Eastern Health Board that the average waiting period under this scheme is six to eight weeks.

The drug cost subsidisation scheme was introduced to cater specifically for people who have a long term medical condition with a regular and on-going requirement for prescribed drugs and medicines. The scheme was designed to overcome difficulties experienced by such persons who were incurring on-going expenses on medicines and were left out of pocket while awaiting payment of their refund.

Persons who qualify for inclusion in this scheme are not required to spend more than £32 in any month for prescribed medication. In order to qualify for this scheme persons must be certified by a medical practitioner on an individual basis.

I am satisfied that appropriate and comprehensive support is being provided by the State through the existing range of community drug schemes to those with medical expenses.