The Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) is a State-run scheme that limits how much you and your family have to pay for approved prescribed medicines and certain medical appliances each month. If your household’s medicine costs go above the monthly threshold — currently €80 — the Health Service Executive (HSE) covers the rest, so you never pay more than the cap in any single calendar month. The scheme is open to anyone living in Ireland whose medicines are not already covered in full by a medical card.
How the Drugs Payment Scheme works
Under the DPS, you pay for your prescriptions as normal at your pharmacy until your spending reaches the monthly limit. Once you have paid the threshold amount in a single calendar month, you do not pay anything further for approved medicines, aids or appliances for the rest of that month. The cap applies to your whole household, not just one person, which makes it especially valuable for families or anyone managing several long-term prescriptions at once. The limit resets at the start of each month. It is set by the Government and has been reduced several times in recent years, so it is always worth checking the current figure with your pharmacy. Only medicines and items approved by the HSE count towards the scheme — most prescription medicines are included, though a small number of products are not.
Who can apply for the DPS?
The Drugs Payment Scheme is available to anyone who is ordinarily resident in Ireland, regardless of income. You do not need to be on a low income or to have a particular medical condition to qualify. It is designed mainly for people who do not hold a medical card, since medical card holders already receive their approved medicines either free or for a small prescription charge. A household can register everyone who lives together as a family unit on a single DPS card, including a spouse or partner and dependent children under 18 — or under 23 if in full-time education. Children with a long-term illness or disability may be included beyond these ages.
How to apply for a DPS card
Applying is straightforward and free. You can register online through the HSE, or by completing a paper application form available from your pharmacy or local health office. You will need your own and your family members’ PPS numbers, and you should register with the pharmacy you use most often. Once your application is processed, each person on the scheme receives a swipe card to present at the pharmacy. It is sensible to apply before you need expensive medicines, as the cap only applies from the point your household is registered. If your circumstances change — a new baby, or a family member moving out — you can update your DPS details at any time.
DPS, medical cards and Doctor Visit Cards — what’s the difference?
It is easy to confuse the different State schemes. A medical card covers GP visits, approved prescribed medicines, public hospital care and a range of other services, and is means-tested. A Doctor Visit Card (DVC) covers the cost of GP consultations only, and does not cover prescriptions. The Drugs Payment Scheme is different again: it does not pay for GP visits at all, but it caps what you spend on prescribed medicines. Many people use the DPS alongside private GP care, or while they wait for a medical card application to be assessed. If you are unsure which scheme suits you best, our guide on how to register with a GP in Dublin explains your options, and our team is always happy to talk it through with you.
Book an Appointment at Clarius Health
Whether you need a repeat prescription, a medication review or advice on managing a long-term condition, our GPs are here to help. Clarius Health has three clinics across Dublin: Clarius Health Camden at 35 Camden Street Upper, Dublin 2; Clarius Health Crumlin on Kildare Road, Dublin 12; and Clarius Health — Cabra Medical Centre at 109 Cabra Road, Dublin 7. To register as a new patient or book an appointment, contact us today and our reception team will be glad to help you get set up on the right scheme for your needs.
