Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 385: To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person suffering from diabetes and who was previously the holder of a long-term illness card and is now the holder of a medical card, is required to pay the 50 cent prescriptions charge for the same items that were available to them free on the long-term illness card; if he will address this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38444/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Prescription charges do not apply to items supplied to patients under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Under the Long Term Illness Scheme, the HSE provides patients with medicines and appliances for the treatment of their disease or disability. It does not cover the cost of GP visits.

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. Medical card holders do not have to pay for GP visits.