Lower medicine prices may save patients up to €500 per year
1 February 2010
The Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association has announced that with effect from today 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 set up a special 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 - (1890) 876 700 - has also been set up. checkthelist.ie includes some of the most commonly prescribed medicines in the country.
IPHA's Director of Commercial Affairs, Brian Murphy, said: "We would urge patients to check the website as those who have to pay for their medicines could save €3-€4 on every €10 they spend. That's a potential saving of up to €500 per year."
The reduction in cost of nearly 300 named, familiar branded medicines is the result of an initiative by the industry to reduce costs for the State by €94 million over the next 12 months.
The IPHA said that its members will also pay an increased rebate to the HSE in respect of the manufacturer's price of all other medicines dispensed under all of the community drug schemes.
IPHA said that its member companies look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Health and Children and the HSE in a positive manner and to finding solutions of benefit to both sides and most importantly of all to Irish patients.