Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2013
525. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider placing an upper limit cap on the amount charged when a patient is in receipt of a number of prescriptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13885/13]
View answerMedical card holders are required to pay a €1.50 charge per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €19.50 per month for each person or family. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the HSE or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme.
Under the DPS, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
