Prescriptions Charges

Wednesday, 2 December 2020

Questions (150)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

150. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if there is guidelines or regulations governing the charging of patients by general practitioners to email prescriptions to pharmacists using the national electronic prescriptions transfer system including repeat prescriptions before and during Covid-19 restrictions; and if so, the amount agreed as appropriate to charge a patient for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40589/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The guidelines published in relation to the electronic transfer of prescriptions between doctors and pharmacies and the removal of the need for a paper equivalent in response to the Covid-19 public health emergency do not address issues on GP charges. While GPs are reimbursed by the HSE for medical services provided to medical card or GP visit card holders, as private practitioners the fees charged by GPs for services to private patients, including fees regarding prescriptions, are a matter of private contract between the GP and their patients.