Medical schemes cost State €1.2bn

PAYMENTS under the drugs and medical card schemes topped €1.2 billion last year, up almost 25% on 2001.

The payments were made to doctors, pharmacists, dentists and eye specialists for services provided to persons eligible under a range of public health schemes, including the medical card scheme and the drugs payment scheme.

The average payment under the GMS scheme to doctors per eligible patient was 221, compared to 169 in 2001 and to pharmacists it was 458, compared to 371 in 2001.