Reilly criticised over €1bn drugs bill

James Reilly, the health minister, has come under further criticism — this time for his failure to tackle the State’s €1bn drugs bill.

It emerged yesterday that the State is paying 12 times more than Britain’s NHS for some non-branded med-icines because of a pricing contract reached with manufacturers two years ago.

A spokesperson for Mr Reilly said talks on a new deal will start soon and legislation forcing pharmacists to prescribe genetic instead of branded drugs will be before the Dáil in the autumn.