You will now pay part of your prescriptions in relation to your income submitted to your local tax office in Spain. Everyone who is a resident should by law make a tax return cut off date 30th June even if you have no Spanish income in that case a zero tax return should be made in any event.This will now become paramount in relation to these latest charges as they are calculated from your tax form details of income as Rita states above,These are in turn  passed automatically through from Hacienda (the Spanish Tax Authority) to the Social Security office who issue your Spanish health care or SIP card. (Blue Card)  :(

A Q&A article is below......

http://www.abacoconnect.com/articles/resident-taxes/sip-cards-and-means-tested-prescriptions-in-spain

Further info from the Britsh Embassy in Madrid re this and lots of healthcare issues.

http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-spain/access-healthcare/healthcare/healthcare-updates

FAQs (Translated from The Spanish Gov site)

    How does it affect me if I am pensioner reform?
    Am I affected if I am a reform worker?
    What if I'm unemployed?
    Who has the right to health card?
    What will happen to those not entitled to the card?
    What if I have over 26 years and have never worked?

How does it affect me if I am pensioner reform?

    If a pensioner with a non-contributory pension or have a minimum income, you will not pay anything for their medications.
    If you make less than 18,000 Euro a year will pay 10 percent of the price of medicines, up to 8 Euro a month.
    If you earn over 18,000 Euro, the maximum is 18 Euro per month.
    Only pensioners with incomes over € 100,000 will pay 60 percent of medicines, up to a limit of 60 Euro per month.
    In any case, health care is free.

Am I affected if I am a reform worker?

    If you have an annual income less than 18,000 euros, will pay the same so far, 40% of the drugs.
    If your income exceeds € 18,000, but less than 100,000 euros, will pay 50%.
    If you enter more than 100,000 Euro a year will pay 60% of their medicines.
    Health care is free.

What if I'm unemployed?

For the first time, if you receive a minimum income or no longer receive any unemployment benefits, will not have to pay for drugs.
Who has the right to health card?

All Spanish and legal resident aliens are entitled to the card, which guarantees free health care.
What will happen to those not entitled to the card?

    All people are guaranteed basic health care but do not meet the legal requirements for the card.
    If it's under 18 are entitled to the same attention as any Spanish citizen.
    It is also fully guaranteed assistance in pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum.
    In any case, all emergencies will be attended by illness or accident.

What if I have over 26 years and have never worked?

Nothing changes on their right to health care. But instead of receiving it as a beneficiary of their parents, will become owner of his own card.

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