Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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817. To ask the Minister for Health if prescription costs have been decreased for medical card holders as set out in A Programme for a Partnership Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19311/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Medical card holders are required to pay a prescription charge of €2.50 per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacies under the General Medical Services scheme. This charge is subject to a monthly cap of €25 for each person or family.

Under Budget 2017, I announced a reduction in the charge to €2, subject to a monthly cap of €20, for medical card holders aged 70 and over and their dependants. This reduced charge took effect from 1 March 2017.

Any future change to the prescription charge is a matter which I intend to consider in the context of the implementation of the health commitments in the Programme for Government and having regard to the funding available.