Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
766 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will lower the drug refund threshold for prescription medicines in order to alleviate the cost of same on low income families who do not qualify for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21508/04]
View answerThe drug payment scheme, DPS, significantly benefits families and individuals who, regularly or occasionally, are faced with large drug bills. No individual or family has to pay more than €78 per month for prescribed, approved drugs and medicines. Any costs over €78 are paid by the State. The cost of the scheme has risen from €140 million in 2000, the first full year of operation, to €204 million in 2003. I consider it reasonable that the contribution by people benefiting from the scheme should reflect the very high increase in spending.
Where people cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants, they may be entitled to a medical card. Eligibility for a medical card is solely a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board to decide. In determining eligibility, the CEO has regard to the applicant's financial circumstances. Health boards use income guidelines to assist in determining eligibility. However, where a person's income exceeds that stipulated in the guidelines, a medical card may be awarded if the CEO considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this. Medical cards may also be issued to individual family members on this basis.
People suffering from any of the following conditions, who are not already medical card holders, may obtain drugs and medicines without charge for the treatment of that condition under the long-term illness scheme: mental handicap, mental illness, under 16 years only, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, parkinsonism and acute leukemia.
