Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 1294: To ask the Minister for Health if he will account for a charge on prescriptions being levied on an individual (details supplied), in addition to a dispensing charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18507/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Medical card holders are required to pay a 50c charge for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €10 per month for each person or family. Charges are not payable in respect of items supplied under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the HSE or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme. Under the Drug Payment Scheme no individual or family pays more than €132 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.

There is no regulation of the prices, dispensing fees or other charges for items supplied privately to patients outside of the GMS and community drugs schemes. If the Deputy would like to supply additional information regarding the circumstances referred to, including the name of the pharmacy and the nature of the prescription, I would be happy to investigate the matter further.