Here's one of the most useful — and least claimed — schemes in Ireland: no household should pay more than €80 a month for prescribed medicines. Anything above that, the State pays. There's no means test — any income qualifies. It's the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), applying takes minutes, and if you don't have the card you're very possibly overpaying at the pharmacy right now.
Quick facts
- Monthly cap
- €80 per household
- Means test
- None — any income
- Covers
- You, your spouse/partner, children under 18 (23 in full-time education)
- Apply
- Online at hse.ie — minutes
How does the Drug Payment Scheme work?
You show your DPS card at the pharmacy; once your household's prescription spend hits €80 in a calendar month, everything further that month is free.
The cap is per family, not per person — you, your spouse or partner, and children under 18 (or under 23 in full-time education) all count together. For anyone on regular medication, it's worth hundreds a year.
Who can get a DPS card?
Anyone ordinarily living in Ireland who doesn't have a medical card — there is no income test at all.
The only real conditions: you live in Ireland (and intend to for at least a year), and you don't hold a medical card (medical card holders already pay less per item, so the schemes don't combine).
How do I apply?
Online at hse.ie/dps with your PPS number and Eircode — or your pharmacist can help you apply on the spot.
You'll add your partner's details if you have one, so the whole household counts toward the one €80 cap. The card arrives in the post; many pharmacies will honour the scheme from your first prescription while it's processing.
I spent over €80 — can I get money back?
Yes — if using more than one pharmacy in a month pushed you over the cap, you can claim a refund of everything above €80.
Print the refund form (or get one at your local primary care centre), post it in, and track it at drugspayment.ie. Tip: sticking to one pharmacy avoids the problem entirely, because the cap applies automatically at the till.
What else should I check alongside it?
Two things: whether you actually qualify for a medical card or GP visit card, and the 20% tax relief on other medical expenses.
The DPS is the no-questions-asked backstop — but you may be entitled to more. Check the GP visit card (free GP visits, generous limits), the medical card, and don't forget 20% tax relief on medical expenses — including what you spend under the DPS cap.
General information, not financial or legal advice. Rules and amounts change — confirm the current details on the official source (Gov.ie, HSE.ie or Citizens Information) before you claim.
Regular prescriptions adding up?
The DPS cap, the GP visit card and 20% medical tax relief add up to serious savings. See your list in 60 seconds — free.
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