Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 7

Written Answers. - Drugs Refund Scheme.

Jack Wall

Question:

236 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the method adopted by the health boards in relation to the drugs refund scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that refunds are made on the basis of the cost of requirements in respect of a calendar month rather than purchases made during a month and is causing financial problems for old age pensioners; if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12902/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Under the drugs refund scheme, persons whose expenditure on prescribed drugs and medicines for use in a specified three month period, commencing on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October exceeds £90 are eligible to claim a refund of their expenditure in excess of that amount.

The applications concerned included receipts of £14.97 and £58.99 which were purchased on 31 March 1999 and as this medication was deemed for use in the following calendar quarter, no refund was made. The people concerned were advised that this outstanding expenditure should be included in any claim for the April-June quarter.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government decided to increase significantly the income guidelines for entitlement to medical cards for persons aged 70 years or over. This improvement was implemented on 1 March 1999 and will be phased in over a three year period.