Ged Nash
Question:473. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he plans to review the threshold for the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37491/24]
View answerTuesday, 24 September 2024
Questions (473)
Written answers
The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) provides for the refund of the amount by which expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical and surgical appliances exceeds a named threshold in any calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland.
The DPS threshold was reduced twice in 2022:
• From €114 to €100 per month on 1 January 2022.
• From €100 to €80 per month on 1 March 2022.
Therefore, currently, under the DPS, no individual pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.
The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for people with ongoing expenditure on medicines. Consideration of further changes to the DPS threshold will be made in the context of current healthcare priorities and the budget available.