Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Apr 1997

Vol. 478 No. 4

Written Answers. - Drug Cost Subsidisation.

Noel Ahern

Question:

76 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health the entitlement of a spouse or family member to use the drugs cost subsidisation card of the holder; if he will give details of the refund system of prescribed items over £90 per quarter; if £90 is allowed per family; and if it includes £32 in respect of the drugs cost subsidies card or any other family cost on prescriptions. [11439/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): Persons who suffer from an ongoing medical condition can avail of the drug cost subsidisation scheme (DCSS) which caters for people who do not have a medical card and are certified as having a long-term medical condition with a regular and on-going requirement for prescribed drugs and medicines in excess of an amount per month, currently £32. Persons who qualify for inclusion in this scheme do not have to spend more than £32 in any month on prescribed medication.In the case of a family, where more than one member is certified as being eligible under the scheme, each receives a personal authorisation card. However, only one payment of £32 will be required provided that the eligible family members use the same pharmacy in any month.

Under the drugs refund scheme, which covers expenditure by the whole family, any expenditure on prescribed medication above £90 in a calendar quarter is refunded by the health board. Accordingly, in the case of a family where one or more members are in receipt of a DCSS card, any excess in expenditure over £90 per quarter by the whole family is met under the drugs refund scheme.