Pharma and medical exports down €5.5bn so far this year

CSO figures show total chemical and related products fell to €54.4bn in the first five months of the year from €58bn in the same period last year

Ireland's total exports fell to €82.5bn by the end of May from €87bn in the same period a year earlier, with exports to the US sharply lower in the period. 

The value of pharma and medical exports is running about €5.5bn below levels of last year, Central Statistics Office figures show. 

Pharma and medical exports contribute an outsized share of overall exports, and have come under scrutiny after they unexpectedly fell significantly earlier this year.