Mar 1, 2017:

Active Retirement Ireland Welcomes Reduction in Prescription Charge for Over 70s as 'A Step In the Right Direction'

From 1st March 2017, the prescription charge for persons aged 70 & over, and their dependents, will reduce from €2.50 to €2.00 per item and the monthly cap for prescription charges will decrease from €25.00 to €20.00 for this cohort.

Active Retirement Ireland's Head of Communications & Public Affairs Peter Kavanagh said, "This is a step in the right direction. Obviously we had called for a complete removal of prescription fees for older people on medical cards, but the reduction is going to mean a lot to some people. It may seem like a low figure to some, but many older people have been neglecting to take their prescribed medications because of the €25 monthly fee."

Anne Marie Hoey, HSE Assistant National Director says:  “The HSE welcomes this reduction in prescription fees for those over 70 and their dependents as it will reduce medicine costs for over 393,235 people.  Pharmacies around the country will implement the new arrangement from March 1st and those over 70 and their dependents are asked to remind their pharmacist during the implementation phase, if they are eligible to avail of the reduced charges.”

Everyone aged 70 or over, ordinarily resident in Ireland, is eligible for free GP care regardless of income.  If you are over 70 and have not yet registered please register online (www.gpvisitcard.ie).  Once your registration is completed and you have been accepted by your GP of choice to his/her patient panel you can attend your GP of choice, without charge.  

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