Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 3

Written Answers. - Drug Payment Scheme.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

182 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has modified the effect of the changes to the drug cost subsidisation scheme; if the changes have had an adverse affect on the ability of many families to pay for necessary medication; if he will revert to the original guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13745/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

With effect from 1 July 1999 the drugs cost subsidisation scheme and the drug refund scheme are being replaced by a new scheme, the drug payment scheme, which contains the best elements of the two existing schemes. The drug cost subsidisation scheme applies to individuals certified by their doctor as having a long-term medical condition necessitating expenditure of £32 per month. The new drug payment scheme is available to everyone and is not restricted to individuals within a family.

Under the drug refund scheme, families and individuals pay the full cost of their prescription medicines and may, at the end of the quarter, claim reimbursement from their health board of expenditure over £90 in that calendar quarter. Many families and individuals have heavy expenditure on drugs and medicines in a quarter and have to wait a further six weeks from the end of the quarter before they receive a refund. This can cause considerable cash flow problems for a significant number of families and individuals. From the introduction of the new scheme, no individual or family will have to pay more than £42 per month for prescribed medicines. It means that families and individuals will, for the first time, be able to budget for the cost of medicines. Families and individuals will know that, whatever the size of their drugs bill, they will not have to pay more than £42 per month.

The new scheme will be easier to use than the drug refund scheme and will be more inclusive than the drug cost subsidisation scheme, bringing overall benefits to a greater number of people. While I have no plans to review the proposals at this stage, I will monitor the operation of the scheme with a view to making any adjustments necessary from time to time.