Written answers

Tuesday, 31 January 2017

Department of Health

Prescriptions Charges

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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572. To ask the Minister for Health if he will abolish prescription charges for pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4283/17]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Partnership Government contains a commitment to reduce the cost of medicines by reducing the annual co-payment on the Drugs Payment Scheme and reducing prescription charges for medical card holders.

Budget 2017 provides for a reduction in the prescription charge for over 70s medical card holders. I intend to implement this initiative by reducing the per item charge by 50c, from €2.50 to €2.00, and reducing the monthly cap by €5, from €25 to €20. This initiative will require changes in primary legislation and pharmacy payments systems. Subject to the enactment of the necessary legislation, the Government expects that the reductions will take effect on 1 March 2017.

I will continue to examine opportunities to address the cost of the charge to patients, having regard to the funding available.

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