Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2013
506. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the instructions that have been given to pharmacies in relation to the new €25 per month maximum prescription charge fee for medical card holders (details supplied). [52743/13]
View answerAs 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 are effective from 1 December 2013.
The HSE issues refunds automatically on a quarterly basis where a person or family pays more than €25 in one month, based on information received from pharmacies. There should be no need for refunds if an individual or family visits a single pharmacy and the pharmacist can identify all family members.
Families can confirm or establish a family group on www.medicalcard.ie. If they do not have access to the internet they can get assistance from their local health office or by contacting the HSE on 1890 252 919
