Move on cheaper drugs welcome

For 17 years after its approval as a cholesterol-lowering drug, Lipitor was the best-selling branded medicine in the history of the pharmaceutical industry and a goldmine for Pfizer.

In the two years since it came out of patent, the profits of the US-based corporation were halved when cheaper generic versions of the life-saving drug were produced by other companies. Not surprisingly, after years of paying through the nose for this and other costly drugs, Irish patients have been waiting for less pricey ones to be introduced here.

The green light was finally given by the Government yesterday signalling that the price of the most commonly prescribed drug in the State is finally coming down. However, given this country’s appalling track record on prices, leading to its deserved image as rip-off Ireland, a sceptic could be forgiven for raising questions.