Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2016
552. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the current cost of the drug payment scheme; if costings will be made available for the effect of reducing the current maximum payment threshold from €144 per month to €72 per month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26488/16]
View answerI am informed by the HSE that the gross cost of the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) was approximately €68 million in the 12 months to end May 2016. The estimated cost of reducing the monthly threshold to €72 per month is €40 million.
The Deputy should note that estimates surrounding the DPS are approximate at best, as pharmacies do not routinely submit DPS claim data below the current monthly threshold of €144.
