Drug cost cuts welcomed

Written by Priscilla Lynch Monday, 08 February 2010 12:48

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There was a wide welcome last week from health and consumer bodies for the 40 per cent cut in the cost of 300 common off-patent drugs.

Health Minister Mary Harney, said she was pleased that the drugs companies who are members of the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association had responded to her request, on behalf of the Government, to reduce costs this year by a substantial amount.

“These 40 per cent price cuts on 300 of the most common off-patent drugs will save taxpayers and consumers considerable amounts of money – well over €90 million for taxpayers and several millions for consumers when they pay for drugs themselves.

“I would hope that generic drugs manufacturers who have not yet decided to cut their prices for these drugs will follow,” she added.

The Minister also confirmed that during the course of this year, she intends to bring forward legislation to allow for reference pricing/generic drug substitution to be implemented from next year onwards.

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