Community Drugs Scheme

Name and explain the agencies HSE, PCRS and community pharmacy

HSE- Health Service Executive

National body overseeing public health

PCRS- Primary Care Reimbursement Service

Manages the financial and administrative operations of community drug schemes

Reimburses pharmacy for dispensing medicines and services to public patients

Community pharmacy

dispense medicines under HSE schemes

List some of the community drug schemes

General Medical Services (GMS)

• General Practitioner Visit Card (GPVC)

• Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS)

• Long Term Illness Scheme (LTI)

• Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS)

• European Economic Area (EEA)

• High Tech Drugs (HTD)

• Health (Amendment) Act 1996

What is the eligibility an entitlements under the GMS scheme

Eligibility: Means tested

Either medical card or GP visitor card

Entitlement: Certain Doctor , dentist etc

Approved drugs

Under GMA Scheme can you repeat prescription

yes for 3 months

What are the eligibility and entitlements for hospital emergency under GMS scheme

Eligibility

– Medical card holders

– Prescription written by a public hospital

Entitlements

- Up to 30 day supply allowable

What us the eligibility under the hardship scheme

Eligibility

– Medical card holders

– For items which are prescribed but do not

have a code for PCRS claiming

Eligibility and Entitlements under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme

Eligibility

– All GMS patients over 16 years of age

• Entitlements

– Range of treatments and clinical procedures by

designated dentist

– The dentist must have a GMS code

– Approved prescribed medicines only

outline the patient charges and fees under all GMS scheme

Patient Charges

– €1.50* per item dispensed

– Maximum of €15.00* monthly per family

– Persons aged 70 and over - €1.00* per item

dispensed, max €10* monthly family

• Charges correct as of September 2025

• Fees, claims and reimbursement

– Ingredient cost

– VAT

What is the eligibility and entitlements under the drug payment scheme

Eligibility

– All persons ordinarily resident in the state who are not

covered by GMS

– PPS number

– Address in the State

– Individual or “family”

• Entitlements

– Pay no more than €80* in a calendar month for

prescribed approved medicines and appliances

– One month’s supply of medication per calendar month

What is the eligibility and Entitlements under Long term Illness

Eligibility

– Persons who suffer from one or more of an specified chronic illnesses

• Entitlements

– Obtain, without charge, irrespective of income necessary

What is the eligibility and entitlements under the high tech drugs scheme

Eligibility

Patients must be eligible under one of the main community drug schemes:

• GMS (Medical Card)

• LTI (Long-Term Illness)

• DPS (Drugs Payment Scheme)

Entitlements

• Prescribed High Tech Medicine in a nominated pharmacy

What su the eligibility and Entitlements under the Health Amendment At 1996

Eligibility

• People who contracted Hepatitis C through the administration within the State of

blood or blood products are entitled to a Health Amendment Act Card (HAA card).

Entitlements

Lifelong access without charge to:

• GP services (any GP)

• Public hospital inpatient and outpatient care

• Prescribed drugs and medicines

• Medical and surgical aids and appliances

• Dental, optical, and aural services

• Physiotherapy and counselling (for cardholders and their families)

• Home nursing and support services

• Chiropody and podiatry

• Complementary therapies

Eligibility and Entitlements under the European Economic Area

Eligibility

– Residents from one of the other EEA countries, UK

and Switzerland

– Must have a valid European Health Insurance Card

(EHIC)

Entitlements

– Emergency medical services while on a temporary

visit to the state