The Health Minister has announced a 50c cut in prescription charges for pensioners – bringing the cost per script down to €1.50.
Stephen Donnelly secured a number of concessions from the Taoiseach ahead of the Budget next week for all medical card holders.
The maximum per month you will pay, no matter how many medicines you are on, is also being reduced to €10 for over 70s and €15 for everyone else.
PAYE workers will see the Drug Payment Scheme amount you must spend before medicines are free every month being brought down by a tenner to €114.
And the threshold for over 70s to qualify for a medical card has come down by €50 to €500 for an individual, and €150 for a couple, down to €900 from €1,050.
Mr Donnelly brought his proposal to his Cabinet colleagues on Tuesday morning and they signed off on it.
The changes will come into effect from November 1.
Mr Donnelly said: “Ensuring access to medical cards for more people over 70 was a key priority for me.
“This measure will not only ease the financial burden on up to 56,000 people over 70, but it will encourage them to seek medical attention sooner rather than later.
“This will help them to remain healthier and live full, active lives for longer.
“These medical cards will be of immense benefit to many older people this winter and for many years to come.
“The reduction in the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold, and the reduction in prescription charges for all medical card holders will support over a million people.
“These measures will benefit people across society, from young to old, across single people and families.
“This brings us closer in our aim to have affordable access to healthcare for everyone.”
When introduced in 2012, the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold was set at €144 per month.
The reduction to €114 per month has the potential to benefit all 1.38 million people eligible under the scheme.
