This is a scheme aimed at those people who do not have an Irish Medical Card and normally have to pay the full cost of their medication.

Under the scheme, you have to pay a maximum amount per month for approved prescribed drugs, medicines and certain appliances for use by yourself and your family within that month.

You can use the drug payment scheme in conjunction with a Long–Term Illness Book.

*In Budget 2022, it was announced the monthly threshold will be reduced from €114 to €100 per month. Since 1st March 2022, the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold has been reduced to €80.

Who can apply?

Anyone who is ordinarily resident in Ireland, with a PPS number and does not already hold a Medical Card. This is NOT a means-tested benefit.

If you have a GP Visit Card you should apply for a Drugs Payment Scheme Card.

Which family members are covered?

The Drugs Payment Scheme Card applicant, his/her spouse and any children under 18. Dependent children aged between 18-23 and are in full-time education are also included.

How to apply

Get a Drugs Payment Scheme Application Form from:

• your pharmacy or
• Local Health Office(opens in new tab) or

• download a printable PDF version

  – in English(opens in new tab)
  – as Gaeilge(opens in new tab)

How to use the card

Once your application has been processed, you will be issued with a plastic swipe card for each person named on the application. This must be presented whenever you are having prescriptions filled.

You do not have to register with a particular pharmacy for the scheme but for convenience it is advisable to use the same pharmacy in a particular month if you wish to avoid paying more than the maximum €80. Your pharmacy will keep a running total of the amount you pay for prescriptions and stop charging you once you have hit the €80 mark. It is advisable to remain with the same pharmacy for each calendar month to ensure the total is kept accurately up to date.

If you attend more than one pharmacy in any one calendar month, you will have to pay out of pocket at the second and subsequent pharmacies and then claim the excess money back.

Refunds and/or Overpayments

Where you need to use 2 or more pharmacies in a month, you can claim back the amount paid over the threshold from your Local Health Office(opens in new tab)

Send your receipt(s) and a completed DPS Refund Claim Form(opens in new tab) (DPSR1) to:

DPS Refunds,
PO Box 12012,
Finglas,
Dublin 11

Queries

If you have a specific query that is not covered by the general information provided both on this webpage and in the links below, then you can use the HSE DrugsPayment.ie query form(opens in new tab) for advice.

Alternatively you can use the Callsave number: 1890-252-919.

Cross-border issues

Prescriptions written in Northern Ireland, e.g. for private treatment, may be allowable under the DPS provided that the drugs are on the approved list. It’s important to check with the Primary Care Reimbursement Service beforehand

• Tel 00353 1 864 7100 or
• email: pcrs@hse.ie

See also

HSE: Your Guide to Drugs Payment Scheme(opens in new tab)

Citizens Information: Drugs Payment Scheme(opens in new tab)

DEBRA Ireland: Drugs Payment Scheme(opens in new tab) [PDF]

Border People – Cross-Border Prescriptions and Pharmacies(opens in new tab)

Page last checked: May 2022