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Prescription Charges

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 November 2013

Wednesday, 20 November 2013

Questions (193, 200)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

193. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that those patients on the long-term illness scheme and with a medical card are liable for the prescription charge fee; if there have been recent changes regarding same; the date on which this came into effect; the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49682/13]

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Terence Flanagan

Question:

200. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding lowering the prescription charge cap per month which is too high for elderly persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49706/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 200 together.

As announced in Budget 2014, it has become necessary to increase the prescription charge due to the very difficult and challenging economic environment which requires the Government to achieve additional savings in health expenditure with €666 million of savings targeted in 2014. The increase in prescription charges will account for €43 million of this target. The Government is committed to achieving these savings while protecting front line services to the most vulnerable to the greatest extent possible.

Medical card holders will be required to pay a €2.50 charge per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €25 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. These new rates will be effective from 1 December 2013.

Prescription charges are not payable in respect of items supplied under the Long Term Illness Scheme.

In the case of persons who had both the medical card and an LTI book, the HSE policy was that they should use their medical card to access medicines. The main reason for this was that the supply of medicines under the LTI cost the HSE considerably more than under the GMS Scheme. A retail mark-up of 20% was payable to pharmacists for items supplied under the LTI Scheme. There is no retail mark-up for items supplied under the GMS Scheme. However, following a review under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, 2009, my colleague, Minister Reilly, announced (on the 2nd of July) the elimination of the retail mark-up under the LTI scheme.

In light of the elimination of the retail mark-up, the HSE was asked by my Department to review its policy. Following this review, the HSE recently decided to terminate the policy outlined above. A circular advising of this change in policy is to issue to pharmacists shortly.

In relation to the individual case, the HSE is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

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