Ireland’s health system is wasting money on medicines by hindering access to generic drugs, according to an industry group. Photograph: iStock
“This year, the Department of Health has projected that almost €3 billion will be spent on medicines, representing nearly €1 in every €8 spent by the State on healthcare,” said Paul Neill, chairman of the group which represents the interests of generic drug producers in Ireland. Mr Neill said several factors contributed to Ireland’s “lag” in the area. These include the low price at which generics are permitted to enter the Irish market in competition with branded products which have lost their patent protection and pricing structures designed only to lower prices further thereafter.