Pharmacies / Chemists
You can get medicines from a pharmacy (often called a chemist). You can also find simple medicines like painkillers or vitamins in supermarkets and other shops. Sometimes, the hospital or your GP (family doctor) may give you medicines directly. Many medicines can only be bought from the pharmacy if you have a prescription from your GP or hospital doctor.
Approved drugs prescribed by your GP or hospital doctor are free to:
If you have a medical card, you will have to pay for some low-cost medicines available without a prescription – even if your doctor recommends that you take them.
Long Term Illness Scheme People who have certain illnesses, who are not already medical card holders, can get free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition. These are provided under the Long Term Illness Scheme. The Long Term Illness Scheme does not depend on your income or other circumstances and is separate from the Medical Card scheme and the GP Visit Card Scheme.
Ask your pharmacist or GP which conditions qualify under the Long Term Illness Scheme.
Drug Payment Scheme If you have neither a medical card, nor a GP Visit Card nor a medical condition listed above, you can use the Drugs Payment Scheme. Under this Scheme, individuals or families pay a maximum amount per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.
Each Sunday a different pharmacy in your area will be open for a few hours. Details of Sunday opening are displayed in every pharmacy window.
You can get medicines from a pharmacy (often called a chemist). You can also find simple medicines like painkillers or vitamins in supermarkets and other shops. Sometimes, the hospital or your GP (family doctor) may give you medicines directly. Many medicines can only be bought from the pharmacy if you have a prescription from your GP or hospital doctor.
Approved drugs prescribed by your GP or hospital doctor are free to:
- medical card holders; and
- people with hepatitis C who have Health Amendment Act Cards.
If you have a medical card, you will have to pay for some low-cost medicines available without a prescription – even if your doctor recommends that you take them.
Long Term Illness Scheme People who have certain illnesses, who are not already medical card holders, can get free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition. These are provided under the Long Term Illness Scheme. The Long Term Illness Scheme does not depend on your income or other circumstances and is separate from the Medical Card scheme and the GP Visit Card Scheme.
Ask your pharmacist or GP which conditions qualify under the Long Term Illness Scheme.
Drug Payment Scheme If you have neither a medical card, nor a GP Visit Card nor a medical condition listed above, you can use the Drugs Payment Scheme. Under this Scheme, individuals or families pay a maximum amount per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.
Each Sunday a different pharmacy in your area will be open for a few hours. Details of Sunday opening are displayed in every pharmacy window.