The new drugs payment scheme introduced in July has come in for criticism from some members of the public. Under the new scheme, payment is not necessary each month but consumers are still paying £10 (€12.70) more each time - £42 instead of £32.

This is a particularly difficult for individuals on a fixed income and those who must take prescribed medicine regularly.

A range of over-the-counter drugs that do not need a prescription from a doctor are also no longer available under the new scheme.

Examples include Panadol, Disprin, Solpadeine, Neurofen, vitamin supplements and products for the treatment of baldness.

According to the Department of Health, no essential medicine will be removed from the list and a common list of drugs/medicines will soon be introduced for all schemes.

Mr B, a Family Money reader from Dublin, says there is a hidden "sting-in-the-tail" under the revamped drugs payment scheme. Our reader, who suffers from heart disease, claims some prescribed medication is not covered.

He writes: "In early July, I submitted a prescription to my chemist for two vaccination serums for travel abroad to be administered by my doctor, expecting that as prescribed preventative medication, they would be covered as normal.

"To my surprise and horror, I was presented with a bill for £59 approximately as those preventative medications had been `de-listed' under the new scheme. Had I submitted the prescription before the end of June, I would not have been faced with this expenditure! On top of this I had two £20 payments to make to my doctors for visits."

Our reader is an old age pensioner with limited income. "In the past, I was secure in the knowledge that once medication was prescribed, I need not worry if I could afford it. Now, under the new scheme, any time I require a prescription, I will need to check whether I can afford it or not since it may no longer be covered," he writes.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "Basically all prescribed medications that are licensed are reimbursable but there may be a few small exceptions." The exceptions are prescribed products unlicensed for use in Ireland.

In our reader's case, travel vaccinations are not included under the new scheme as they are considered optional vaccines. Essential vaccinations are still available, says the Department.

Influenza vaccinations are available for those over age 65 with medical cards. Medical-card holders under age 65 considered at risk - those suffering from chronic pulmonary disease, chronic heart disease, diabetes and patients on immunosuppressive therapy - are also eligible for the vaccine.

Those over age 65 without medical cards may obtain the vaccine free but may have to pay their general practitioner for its administration. Childhood vaccinations are also provided free. Other vaccinations available to individuals in certain categories are: pneumococcal vaccine, hepatitis B and tetanus.

In answer to a recent parliamentary question on vaccines excluded under the new scheme, the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Cowen, said: "In view of these provisions, I do not think that it is justifiable to extend the community drugs scheme to cover all types of vaccinations, particularly in view of the very many areas of pressing need in the health services and the limited services available to meet them."