Vol. 458 No. 6
53 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health the average delay/waiting period between application and issuing of refund cheques under the drugs refund scheme; his views on whether it is fair and reasonable to expect people who, in some instances, have expended huge sums of money on prescribed drugs over a three month period to have to wait such a duration of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17501/95]
Limerick East): Under the drugs refund scheme, which covers expenditure by the whole family, any expenditure on prescribed medication above £90 for use in a calendar quarter is refunded by the health board. Health boards endeavour to make refunds as quickly as possible and the average waiting period under this scheme is four to five weeks.
I would point out to the Deputy that there is a scheme available for people who incur on-going expenses on medicines whereby they do not have to await refund payments. The drug cost subsidisation scheme was introduced to cater specifically for people who have a long-term medical condition with a regular and on-going requirement for prescribed drugs and medicines.
