State to cut cost of vital drugs

THE Department of Health is examining the possibility of enforcing a “generic pricing system” in an attempt to reduce the cost of vital pharmaceutical drugs to the public.

The generic pricing system would cost the State far less and would be based on the price range of generic drugs, which are similar but cheaper than patent-protected drugs.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner after it emerged that health officials are paying €98 million more for standard drugs than their counterparts in Britain, the department said “all options” would be considered to reduce the cost.