Medicines 12 times more expensive here than in the UK
A report in today's Sunday's Business Post shows Irish people are paying around 12 times more than the NHS in Britain for generic drugs.
According to the paper it is because of a deal sanctioned by the Department of Health two years ago, whereby generic drug manufacturers can charge the state up to 98% of the price of the original branded medicine.
Plavix, a blood thinning drug, costs the HSE €37 for a generic version, but the NHS in Britain pays just €3 for the same brand.
The Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland said the reason Ireland pays more is because generic drugs have a low market share here and because manufacturers have to package their products uniquely for Ireland.
Liam Doran General Secretary of the INMO, said spending these higher sums on the drugs means there is less money available for the health service.
