McCartan's Pharamcies are only too aware of the high cost of medicines in Ireland. We want to help our customers to minimise the cost of their medicines, without compromising their prescribed therapy. Outlined below are some ways to reduce your medicines bill. Please contact one of our pharmacists for more information.
The Drugs Payments Scheme:
All Irish residents who do not hold a medical card are entitled to apply for a DPS card. This scheme means that any individual or family will not have to spend over €80 per calendar month for prescribed medicines.
If you are not currently registered, our staff would be happy to help you to apply. All you need to do is to fill out a DPS registration form, available in our pharmacies. To fill out this form you will need your PPS number and those of the other family members, if applying for a family.
Generic Medicines:
Generic medicines are copies of original branded medicines. They contain the same ingredients as branded medicines, differing only in the name and price. Generic drugs must be therapeutically equivalent to the branded medicine. They must have the same composition and must have the same effect on the body as the brand leader.
Generic medicines are subject to the same tight controls as branded medicines. Before they can be launched on the Irish market they must be licenced by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (www.hpra.ie). They ensure that the generic product is bio-equivalent to the branded medicine and is of high quality, safe, and effective.
Generic medicines are cheaper because the companies that produce them do not have to spend the billions of euro required (in research, clinical trials, marketing etc.) in bringing a new product to market.
Even if you do not pay for your medicines (e.g. if you have a medical card), you can ask your doctor to prescribe generic equivalents of your branded medicines. This saves money for the HSE which means that it be better spent in other areas.
Tax Relief on Medicines:
Medical expenses (medicines, GP's fees, consultant's fees etc.) can be recouped against your tax. McCartan's pharmacy, at your request, can provide you with an annual print-out of all prescriptions dispensed for you or your family. This saves you the hassle of retaining all of your receipts.
We also keep MED 1 forms in stock, for your convenience.
