Derek Nolan
Question:338. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if the prescription charge is a short term measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45007/14]
View answerTuesday, 25 November 2014
Questions (338)
Written answers
Prescription charges are part of a set of measures introduced by Government in recent years to reduce pharmaceutical drugs expenditure. It was necessary to increase the prescription charge in 2014 due to the very difficult and challenging economic environment which requires the Government to achieve additional savings in health expenditure with €619 million of savings targeted in 2014. The increase in prescription charges will account for €43 million of this target.
There are no plans to amend the prescription charge. However I am pleased that the prescription charge is frozen at the level set in 2014 as was announced as part of the packet of health measures in Budget 2015.
Medical card holders are 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 Health Service Executive or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme.