Drug payments scheme:
This scheme covers patients who are not covered by the medical card or long tem illness schemes. Individuals or families pay the pharmacist the first 85 euro per month of the cost of prescribed medicines and appliances. If the individual or family member has to obtain a prescription from a second pharmacy in the same month, the second payment can be claimed from the health service executive by submitting the relevant receipts. Patients not already registered should send a completed application form to the health service executive, forms available directly from the HSE or in any pharmacy.
Med 1 form:
Many patients are not aware that they are entitled to tax relief on the cost of their prescription medicines. A repayment of tax may be claimed in respect of qualifying medical expenses, the first 125 euro per person (250 euro per family) does not qualify for relief. Med 1 forms are available from your tax revenue office or online. Med 1 reports (the amount spent during a tax year) for an individual or family may be obtained from your pharmacy.
Long Term Illness scheme (LTI):
The LTI scheme makes provision for the supply of medicines and appliances free of charge to individuals who suffer from certain chronic illnesses. These are: diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, haemophilia, hydrocephalus, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, parkinsonism, phenylketonuria, epilepsy, mental handicap, mental illness (in children under 16) and acute leukaemia in children. Patients wishing to register on this scheme must submit an application form, which has been completed by their doctor, to the HSE.
Many patients are not aware of these entitlements, should have any queries you can contact your pharmacy, your local HSE community care office or the tax office regarding med 1 form.
John Duffy MPSI. Claregalway pharmacy is open late Monday to Friday until 8pm and 6.30 pm on a Saturday. Tel. 091-799754.
