Vol. 550 No. 2
250 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a full refund was not made under the drug refund scheme to persons (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7584/02]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the drugs payment scheme with a threshold of €53.33 which replaced both the drug cost subsidisation scheme and the drug refund scheme with effect from 1 July 1999.
Since that date a common list of reimbursable items operates for the general medical services scheme and the drug payment scheme. Previously, medicines which were not available to medical card holders under the general medical services scheme were being reimbursed under the community drugs schemes. The introduction of the common medicines list ensures equity between the general medical services and the drugs payment scheme in relation to the range of items paid for by the State under both schemes.
For any item of medicine to be included in the common list of items reimbursable under the community drug schemes it must comply with a list of criteria. These range from their authorisation status where appropriate, their price and in certain cases the uses for which the products are intended. In addition, the products should ordinarily be supplied to the public only on foot of a medical prescription and should not be advertised or promoted to the public.
