Health inflation - Counting the cost of getting sick

IRELAND’S unenviable reputation as the rip-off capital of Europe is steadily getting worse as the cost of healthcare rises steadily.

Due to mounting costs right across the board, including doctors’ fees, hospital charges and drug prices, health inflation rose 5.8% in the year up to June.

Moreover, under a range of public health schemes, the State paid €1.43 billion to doctors, pharmacists, dentists and eye experts, an increase of €161m on 2002.