ConsumerValue: Pharmacy Products
Medicines from your local pharmacy
Many consumers stick with the same brand of non-prescription medicines when buying over-the-counter medicines, whether consciously or unconsciously, and without questioning whether that brand offers them value for money.
Pharmaceutical companies rely on this brand loyalty to secure return purchases, yet in many cases the best known brands attract a premium price.
Generic medicines
Generic medicines are identical in dose, strength, route of administration, safety, efficacy, and intended use - and are generally a cheaper alternative to branded products.
Consumers do not necessarily ask for the branded products because these are better in some way than any alternatives, but simply because they may not be aware of any alternatives.
So always ask your pharmacist for advice regarding any alternatives to branded non-prescription medicines that you would normally ask for.
Lower prices
In February 2010 the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association announced that the cost of long established medicines would be reduced by 40%.
IPHA, the representative body for the international research-based pharmaceutical industry in Ireland, has also set up a website on which patients can check to see if their medicines are listed, and the price reduction.
The website - CheckTheList.ie - carries a detailed list of all the medicines and their new, lower prices. A lo-call number has also been set up at (1890) 876 700.
Learn more
Read safety tips on medical devices
Download a leaflet from the Irish Pharmacy Union about your health service entitlements (PDF, 430KB)