Minister for Health Simon Harris announced that almost 390,000 people over 70 years with a medical card, including their dependents, will benefit from new reductions to prescription charges.  

From tomorrow, prescription charges will be reduced from €2.50 to €2.00 per item and in addition the maximum monthly limit will be reduced from €25 to €20 per person or family per month.

Commenting on the cuts to prescription charges for eligible older people and their dependents, the Minister said: "I am very pleased to be in a position to announce its immediate effect. Naturally as we grow older, we require more medical help and assistance and from tomorrow, 390,000 of our older friends and family will pay less for their medicines".

Cutting prescription charges was promised as part of the Programme for Government.