Drugs Payment Scheme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004

Tuesday, 23 March 2004

Questions (381)

Willie Penrose

Question:

380 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the last review of the drugs repayments scheme took place in 1995 and since then there has been a significant increase in the instance of asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and other such illnesses, and that no State subvention or help is available towards their treatment; if, in this context, he will ensure that same is reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8815/04]

Written answers

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the drugs payment scheme, DPS, which replaced the drug refund and drug cost subsidisation schemes in 1999, following a review of those schemes. The DPS is open to all individuals or families who do not hold a medical card. Under the DPS, no individual or family unit pays more than €78 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. As entitlements under the DPS are based solely on eligible expenditure, people suffering from the conditions mentioned by the Deputy have the same access to State support for the cost of drug treatment as any other member of the scheme. There are no plans to amend this position.