Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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1170. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding pharmaceutical pricing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25108/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The implementation of price reductions arising from the new pricing and supply agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association is an operational matter for the HSE; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and reply to the Deputy.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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1171. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding high cost medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25109/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Regulation (EC) 883/04 and Implementing Regulation 987/09 provide for the coordination of social security systems, including healthcare, within the EU/EEA and Switzerland, with the aim of ensuring the free movement of persons. This objective of the Regulation is to ensure that persons exercising their right to move and to stay freely within the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not suffer disadvantage.

Medical cards may be issued to EU/EEA citizens under EU Regulation 883/04 if the person is in receipt of a contributory social insurance payment from one, or more, of the Member States provided they are not receiving a contributory social insurance payment from the Irish State.

These Medical Cards are issued on an individual basis and the income of a spouse/partner is not relevant. EU/EEA citizens who are in receipt of a qualifying payment from another Member State should make an application for a Medical Card directly to the HSE. The application should be accompanied, as evidence that they are receiving a qualifying payment, by the relevant EU "S" form issued by the Member State making the payment. The annual average cost to the State of the provision of an individual medical card is €912. As of 1 September 2016, 1,709,896 individuals hold a medical card. This figure also includes discretionary medical cards.