Good news for consumers with 40% reduction in cost of many drugs - Fitzpatrick

There is good news for consumers as the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association has agreed to Government requests to reduce the cost of drugs according to local Fianna Fail TD, Michael Fitzpatrick.

“The Minister for Health has announced that there will be a 40% reduction in the cost of 300 of the most common off-patent drugs.”

“This will mean a huge saving for those who need to use drugs on a regular basis.”

“It is estimated that these price reductions mean that those who have to pay for their medicines could save €3 to €4 on every €10 they spend resulting in a potential saving of up to €500 per year.”

“The reduction will also see a huge saving for Government when meeting the costs of drugs for medical card patients.”

“It is estimated that there will be savings of well over €90 million for taxpayers and several million for consumers.”

“Generic drug manufacturers have not yet decided to cut their prices for these drugs, but I know that the Government is working hard to persuade them to do so.”

“The Government also intends to bring forward legislation to allow for generic drugs to be substituted for prescribed drugs which will mean even further price reductions for consumers.”

“Reducing the costs of drugs will enable the Government to divert those funds to other places within the health care system.”

“Consumers can check if their drugs are included in the price reduction by logging on to www.checkthelist.ie or phoning the lo-call number, 1890 876700,” concluded Deputy Fitzpatrick.