Vol. 507 No. 4
147 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the drugs refund scheme excludes family members who are 23 and over even if they are in full-time education and wholly dependent on their parents; the reason for this exclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17193/99]
The drugs payments scheme is being introduced with effect from 1 July 1999 and will replace the two existing community drugs schemes, the drug refund scheme and the drug cost subsidisation scheme. The new scheme is not means tested and is open to everyone. Under the drug payment scheme, a person will not have to pay more than £42 in any calendar month for approved prescribed drugs, medicines and appliances for use by that person or his or her dependants in that month. For the purposes of the scheme, dependants includes spouse and children under 18 years. A dependant with a physical disability or a mental handicap or illness who cannot maintain himself or herself fully, who is ordinarily resident in the family home and who does not hold a current medical card, may be included in the family expenditure under this scheme, regardless of age. Dependants over 18 years and under the age of 23 years who are in full time education are also included. The upper age limit is in keeping with recent family law legislation. A person over the age of 18 years, and who is not in full time education, or a person who is over the age of 23 years and is in full time education, can of course avail of the drug payment scheme in his or her own right or may be eligible for a medical card.
