Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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166. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address the discrepancy between patients who have long-term illness support as opposed to those who have a medical card with regard to payment for medication for those who have Parkinson's disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18128/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The General Medical Services Scheme entitles medical card holders to free primary and secondary care. This entitlement includes free approved medicines and medical appliances, subject to a prescription charge per item, which is currently €2.00 with a monthly cap of €20 and, for medical card holders aged over 70, €1.50 per item with a cap of €15 a month.

The LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). As parkinsonism is one of the conditions covered by the scheme, patients with parkinsonism receive approved drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of this condition free of charge.

Patients with parkinsonism may also be entitled to a medical card. In assessing applications for medical cards, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. 

There are no plans to change the current position. However, I wish to inform the Deputy that a review of the eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, is to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.