Liz McManus
Question:126 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the prescribed drugs being included in the new drugs refund scheme. [16316/99]
Written Answers. - Drugs Refund Scheme.
The existing drug cost subsidisation and drug refund schemes will be merged into one new drug payment scheme with a threshold of £42 per month per family unit. A common list of reimbursable medicines is being introduced for the GMS scheme and the new drug payment scheme. The introduction of the common medicines list will ensure equity between the general medical services and the new drug payment scheme in relation to the range of medicines paid for by the State under both schemes. The comprehensive range of the most modern therapies required to treat all conditions, which is available on the GMS will continue to be paid for under the new scheme.
The list of drugs, medicines and appliances available to GMS patients as specified in the current GMS code book, including all updates, and with some additions will form the common list of items for both the GMS and the new drugs payment scheme. This common list will be subject to ongoing review and amendment on a monthly basis as new products become available, additions and deletions will be notified on a monthly basis, as at present.
In addition to the common list, a supplementary list of products including dressings and incontinence products will be reimbursable to non medical card holders. Existing arrangements for the supply of these products to medical card holders will remain in place.