Drugs face cost-effectiveness trial after study approves cholesterol busters

THE health service is spending €90 million a year on cholesterol-lowering drugs for non-medical card holders — but the good news is they represent value for money.

A major study found that the drugs, known as statins, pass the cost-effectiveness test when it comes to curing the patient without killing the taxpayer.

Now every newly available drug is to be put through a similar test before being subsidised under the Community Drugs Scheme, while many available under the scheme will be assessed.