HSE Funded Pharmacy Claims

HSE Funded Pharmacy Claims Background Notes

The data in this release is provided to the Central Statistics Office by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS). The PCRS is the part of the Health Service Executive (HSE) that processes payments to all the GPs, pharmacists, dentists and other health professionals who provide free or reduced cost services to the public. The PCRS pays for this service on behalf of the HSE.

Under the GMS, people who are unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants may be granted a medical card and receive free general medical services. All GMS claims are processed and paid by the PCRS. In most cases the GP gives a completed prescription form to an eligible person, who takes it to any Pharmacy that has an agreement with the Health Service Executive to dispense drugs, medicines and appliances on presentation of GMS prescription forms.

The figures derived in this release refer to claims that were carried out in the corresponding year. Expenditure includes ingredient costs, fees and vat on pharmacy claims for GMS patients only and is exclusive of Stock costs, fees and vat. Please note average figures were calculated from actual figures not rounded figures.

Definitions:

Medical card: With a medical card issued by the HSE, one can receive certain health services free of charge. To qualify for medical card, an individual’s weekly income must be below a certain figure. If an individual does not qualify for a medical card, they may qualify for a GP visit card.

Total expenditure includes ingredient costs, fees and vat on pharmacy claims for GMS patients only, and is exclusive of Stock costs, fees and vat.

Regions

The regions consist of the local health offices and are constructed as follows;