Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties facing medical card holders in obtaining prescribed mental health medications (details supplied); his plans to introduce measures to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2864/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Medical card holders who are given a prescription by a hospital or clinic must request a general practitioner participating in the GMS to transcribe the details onto a GMS prescription form in order for them to receive their medication free of charge, subject to any applicable prescription charges, under the GMS scheme.

It is considered worthwhile that patients have contact with their GP, establishing a valuable link between primary and secondary care services that might otherwise be less frequent. As GPs receive an annual capitation fee per GMS patient, no extra costs are incurred by such patients.