€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.

The Government has come in for criticism from the opposition because of its decision to place the onus on those overcharged to seek a refund.

Labour spokeswoman on health Liz McManus said it was a scandal that the State had not automatically repaid the money. "It is unforgivable that they have put the burden of proof on the individual, when clearly the State is at fault. It is also unforgivable that a deadline has been set for people to claim money rightfully theirs," she said.

Fine Gael's Olivia Mitchell said the system of applying for refunds had been designed to confuse and limit claims. "I have no doubt that they chose to do it this way to keep the claims down. The State should have gone after these people themselves to refund the money. They know who the money is owed to," she said.

Those claiming money back because of the overcharging error have to obtain documentation to back up their claim from pharmacists.

The Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) has made its dissatisfaction with the whole refunds procedure well known. The union has complained that it is "overly bureaucratic and confusing for the elderly" and that it can take members anything from 20 minutes to an hour to process each individual claim.

The union has also questioned why direct payments can't be made to those affected as all those who benefit from the GMS scheme are registered on the Department of Health's database.

The Irish Patients Association (IPA) said pharmacists have done all in their power to assist those seeking refunds.

IPA spokesman Stephen McMahon said the Government should again consider extending the deadline it was already extended from September 30 to October 31 following pressure from the IPU and the opposition given the huge increase in claims in the last month.

The overcharging error was revealed following an investigation by the Comptroller and Auditor General, John Purcell.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said yesterday all claims received by the deadline of October 31 would be processed and paid by the end of December. However, the spokesperson said claims would not be considered after the deadline.