Written answers
Wednesday, 3 February 2021
Department of Health
Prescriptions Charges
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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647. To ask the Minister for Health if a mechanism is available for older persons to seek a waiver for prescription charges in cases in which a substantial bill has accumulated because the person was too ill to collect the medication in person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5154/21]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Prescription charges for medical card holders were introduced in 2010. The charge was put in place to address rising costs in the medical card scheme. Community pharmacists are required by law to collect prescription charges on behalf of the HSE.
The charge, which is currently €1 per item with a monthly cap of €10 for persons over 70 years of age and €1.50 per item with a monthly cap of €15 for persons under 70 years of age, applies to all medical card holders, unless they are exempted.
To date, there are exemptions for children in state care, methadone patients, asylum seekers in direct provision and refugees in emergency reception and accommodation centres.
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