Vol. 508 No. 3
230 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the position on the implementation of the new drugs refund scheme; if all eligible applicants have received a swipe card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19010/99]
The drug cost subsidisation and drug refund schemes were merged into one new drug payment scheme with a threshold of £42 per month per family unit on 1 July. This scheme represents the best elements of the previous schemes. For example, the drug payment scheme is more user friendly than the drug refund scheme and is designed to improve the cash flow situation for families. Unlike the drug cost subsidisation scheme there are no qualifying criteria for the new scheme.
The new scheme is open to all persons ordinarily resident in Ireland who do not hold a medical card. I have had inquiries made and I understand that eligible applicants who submitted correctly completed application forms to the GMS (Payments) Board or whose registrations have been notified to the board by the health boards have been issued with drug payment scheme cards.
