Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
759. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove prescription fees for medical card holders; and his views on the affordability of prescription medications for medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10683/24]
View answerPrescription charges were introduced in the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2010. On 1 November 2020, prescription charges under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme were reduced as follows:
• To €1.00 per item for persons over 70, with a maximum monthly charge of €10.00.
• To €1.50 per item for persons under 70, with a maximum monthly charge of €15.00.
Any health measures introduced in the upcoming budget will be in the context of the implementation of the health commitments in the Programme for Government and the funding available to progress healthcare priorities.
