Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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134. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of reducing prescription charges by 50 cent, by prescription; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15116/16]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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135. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of lowering the drug payment scheme monthly limit from €144 to €132; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15117/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together.

I intend to consider these matters in the context of the commitments in the Programme for Partnership Government to significantly reduce the cost of medicines, having regard to the funding available to facilitate such measures. Detailed costings will be required as part of this process, in order to establish as accurately as possible the expected costs to the Exchequer.

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes,therefore these matters have been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you.

If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up these matters with them.