Practice Managers Manual - Irish Health Repository

Drug Payments Scheme
This scheme provides cover towards the cost of prescribed medication for families and individuals. Under the
scheme no individual or family will have to pay more than €90 in any calendar month for approved prescribed
drugs, medicines and appliances.
Family expenditure covers the nominated adult, his/her spouse and children under 18 years of age. Dependents
over 18 and under 23 years of age who are in full time education may also be included on furnishing proof. A
dependent with a physical disability or a mental handicap or illness, who cannot maintain himself/herself, who
resides in the family home and who does not hold a medical card may also be included in the family expenditure
under the scheme.
Eligibility: Anyone who ordinarily resides in Ireland providing they do not hold a medical card is eligible. The
Drugs Payment Scheme can be used with a Long Term Illness Book (See details over next page).
Application Procedure: Application forms can be obtained from the local Health Office. The form should
then be completed by either an individual applicant or in the case of a family by a nominated adult member of
the family. It is important to include each person’s Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) on the form. (This
is the same as the RSI number). When the application form is complete, it should then be returned to the DPS
office in the Local Health Office. Once the application is processed each person named on the application will
receive a plastic DPS card.
How to use the scheme: Once a person receives their DPS card they must present it at the pharmacy along
with their prescription. Pending the introduction of a facility whereby pharmacists can access a central database
to confirm amounts already paid, all members of a family should use the same pharmacy throughout a month
to obtain prescribed medication.
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