Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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1157. To ask the Minister for Health the total amount spent by his Department on the purchase of prescription drugs distributed under medical cards and distributed under general practitioner cards; the corresponding amount contributed by recipients in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46479/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The cost of drugs and medicines provided to medical card holders, in 2012, is estimated at just over €1.3 billion. GP visit cards do not cover the cost of drugs.

Medical card holders are currently required to pay a €1.50 charge per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €19.50 per month for each person or family. In 2012 the prescription charge was €0.50 per item, subject to a cap of €10.00. The revenue raised from the prescription charge in 2012 is €29.70 million.