Vol. 358 No. 12
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the Eastern Health Board are treating applications for refunds under the scheme of assistance towards the cost of prescribed medicines which are received towards the end of the month, as relating to the following month; if he is satisfied with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
620.
asked the Minister for Health if any circular or instruction has been issued to the area health boards suggesting that they treat applications for refunds under the scheme of assistance towards the cost of prescribed medicines, which are received towards the end of a month, as relating to the following month; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 619 and 620 together.
No specific circulars or instructions have been issued by my Department in relation to this scheme. The regulations in force from time to time determine the period and amount in respect of which refunds are calculated. These are at present one calendar month and £28 respectively.
Accordingly health boards will refund the cost in excess of £28 of drugs or medicines prescribed for use during a calendar month. Recoupment is made on the basis of drugs used during a calendar month, rather than on purchases made within a calendar month. For example, if a month's supply of a particular medicine is purchased at the beginning of a month, and again at the end of that month, the latter is regarded as being in respect of the following month. Accordingly recoupment is calculated on the basis of two separate calendar months.
