Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 Apr 1996

Vol. 464 No. 2

Written Answers. - Drug Cost Subsidisation Scheme Card.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

79 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will have arrangements made to reissue a drug cost subsidisation scheme card to a family (details supplied) in County Cork; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the members of this family suffer from ill health and are on very high levels of medication which have been made available to them through the drug cost subsidisation scheme card. [7842/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan

, Limerick East): The determination of eligibility for a particular health service is a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board.

The drug cost subsidisation scheme caters for people who do not have a medical card and are certified by their general practitioner as having a long-term medical condition with a regular and ongoing requirement for prescribed drugs and medicines in excess of £32 per month.

The Southern Health Board is currently reviewing the drug cost subsidisation scheme in its area and the claiming patterns of card holders are being examined. Card holders who do not meet the the criterion for eligibility under this scheme have been written to by the board and advised that arrangements are being made to cancel their cards. These persons are also being advised that they may avail of the drugs refund scheme, which covers expenditure by the whole family, where any expenditure on prescribed medications in excess of £90 in a calendar quarter is refunded by the health board.

I understand that the Southern Health Board has received representations from the person referred to by the Deputy, which the board is currently examining. The board has informed the person that she may retain her drug cost subsidisation scheme card pending the outcome of this examination.