Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
1209. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the drugs payment scheme threshold for families in which a member of the family has been diagnosed with cancer and for single persons with a cancer diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32102/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) is a non-means-tested scheme which is open to any person who is ordinarily resident in the State, regardless of illness.
Under the scheme, no individual or family pays more than €124 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
The Programme for Partnership Government contains a commitment to reduce the cost of medicines. In line with this commitment, I announced a reduction in the DPS threshold, from €134 to €124 a month, as part of Budget 2019 and this reduction was implemented on 1 April 2019.
I intend to consider further proposals for reductions in the DPS threshold, in the context of the implementation of the health commitments in the Programme for Government and with regard to the funding available.
