Government to U-turn on short-changed patients

THE GOVERNMENT is to announce a major U-turn later this year when it provides refunds to 175,000 patients short-changed as a result of blunders in the administration of the drugs payment scheme.

The patients are owed an average of more than €100 each, a total of almost €20m, but heath authorities last year refused to pay back the money.

However, the Department of Health has written to a Dáil committee to say it is reconsidering its position and hopes to reach a positive conclusion this year.