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Drugs Payment Scheme Threshold

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 July 2013

Thursday, 18 July 2013

Questions (733, 734)

Seán Fleming

Question:

733. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the savings that would be achieved from excluding households with an income greater than €100,000 from making a claim under the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36615/13]

View answer

Seán Fleming

Question:

734. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the approximate cost of reducing the monthly threshold for the drug payment scheme from €132 a month to €120 a month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36616/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 733 and 734 together.

Under the Drug Payment Scheme, 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. In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.

It is not possible to estimate the savings that would be achieved from excluding households with an income greater than €100,000 because this would require income data which the HSE's Primary Care Reimbursement Service does not hold (as the Drug Payment Scheme is not means-tested). It is estimated that the cost of reducing the threshold for the Drug Payment Scheme equates to approximately €1 million per annum for every €1 reduction.

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