Medical card payouts for pill doubles since 2009

The number of medical card holders taking oral contraceptives has more than doubled since 2009, according to the HSE.

However, both the Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) and the Pro Life Campaign say that the rise in the number of women taking contraceptives does not account for the fall in the numbers travelling to the UK for an abortion.

The HSE’s Primary Care Reimbursement Service makes payments to pharmacies for drugs issued to those on the GMS Scheme and the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS).