Alan Kelly
Question:527. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to phase out the prescription levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30896/16]
View answerTuesday, 18 October 2016
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The Programme for Partnership Government includes a commitment to reduce the cost of medicines by reducing the annual required co-payment on the Drugs Payment Scheme and reducing prescription charges for medical card holders.
Budget 2017 provides for a reduction in the prescription charge for over 70s medical card holders. I intend to implement this initiative by reducing the per item charge by 50c, from €2.50 to €2.00, and reducing the monthly cap by €5, from €25 to €20. This initiative will require changes in primary legislation and pharmacy payments systems. Subject to the enactment of the necessary legislation, the Government intends that the reductions will take effect on 1 March 2017. The reduction on the per item charge will benefit 330,000 medical card holders.