€28m waiting to be claimed in drugs scheme

THE Government stands to save over €28 million because of the low take-up of refunds under the Drugs Payment Scheme.

An estimated 175,000 people, who benefited under the scheme, were overcharged between 1999 and 2001 as a result of a Department of Health blunder. With the closing date for claims just two days away, only 29,000 of those entitled to a refund have lodged a claim with the General Medical Services (Payments) Board.

The GMS Board has confirmed the average refund is 192.68. With 28,063 claims processed, the State will have to pay out just €5.4m. If all 175,000 claims were filed, the State would be faced with a €33.72m bill.