The deadline has been extended to October 31st for people to claim back money they were overcharged under the Drugs Payment Scheme.
Some 175,000 people were overcharged by a up to €250 between July 1st, 1999, and February 28th, 2001. The overcharging happened when the threshold above which people could make claims under the scheme was raised from €40.63 to €53.33 per month in July 1999.
However, the new change were not signed into law by the then health minister, Mr Brian Cowen. The new regulations did not, therefore, come into effect until February 2001, which meant people who had been claiming refunds in the intervening period were being assessed on the new threshold when the lower threshold still had effect.
Applicants have encountered difficulties in obtaining proof that they purchased the required level of drugs. Most are depending on chemists to provide them with proof which must be included with their claim forms. The General Medical Services (Payments) Board has forms.