Most pensioners have to pay 10% of the cost of their medicines when they present a prescription at the chemist from July 2 as part of central Government’s austerity package.
However, for pensioners with incomes of less than 18,000 a year there is a monthly ceiling of 8 euros a month. Any amount above this ceiling will be refunded automatically into your bank account within three to six months.
While the refund should be automatic pensioners are advised to keep receipts for all prescriptions every month so they can reclaim the amount they have overpaid if necessary.
As yet it is not clear where or when these amounts can be reclaimed if they are not automatically refunded. As soon as the information is available it will be published on this webpage. However, if you are concerned the Consumer Office in Calle Mayor should be able to advise you. You will need to take an interpreter if you don´t speak Spanish.
Patients with an income of between 18,000 and 100,000, who pay 40% of the cost of their medicines, will pay a maximum of 18 euros monthly: everything above this being refundable.
Some 456 pharmaceutical products have been withdrawn from the subsidized prescription system. These will now have to be bought over the counter. See the Consumer section of this webpage for a previous article with more information.
