Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the 50 cent charge for medicines and prescription items; if there are any groups exempt from having to pay these charges, including persons suffering from a long-term illness; if there any plans to remove this charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40531/11]

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.

Prescription charges result in savings to the Health Service Executive of approximately €27 million annually. Despite the very difficult budgetary situation, the Government has ruled out an increase in prescription charges.