James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the annual savings to be achieved from the prescription charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46004/10]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the savings to be achieved from the prescription charge during 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46005/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.

Since 1 October 2010, medical card holders are required to pay a 50 cent charge for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists. The charges are subject to a cap of €10 per month for each person or family. Based on trends in previous years, it is expected that the prescription charges will yield approximately €24 million in a full year, or about €2 million per month.