John Cregan
Question:720 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Health and Children in relation to the many complaints being received regarding an increase in the monthly cost of the drug cost subsidisation scheme, the annual cost of drugs under the medical card scheme; the annual cost of drugs under the subsidisation of ?70 per month scheme; the details of costs over the past ten years; if increases in thresholds over the past five years can be traced; if increases are substantially over inflation figures; the reason the increase is justified; if it is accepted that those who constantly exceed the ?70 limit are being discriminated against; and if a more balanced system can be introduced realising that total costs are escalating. [1866/03]