Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a claim for payment under the drug refund scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin has not been made; if such payments have been suspended pending the outcome of a court case; when this situation will be resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37845/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Following the reduction in pharmaceutical reimbursement prices on 1 March 2008, claims made by patients to Health Service Executive (HSE) local health offices were paid at the new lower reimbursement rate. I understand that payment of some claims was delayed because the pharmacy had charged the patient at the higher price, not the lower reimbursement price. Following a recent High Court judgment, reimbursement prices are being reinstated to the original level. Consequently, the HSE is now examining the issue of refund of payments to patients through local health offices. It is expected that this matter will be resolved shortly. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the specific case mentioned by the Deputy investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.