Pharmaceutical Companies ripping off Irish Taxpayers

A Sunday Business Post survey showing the high price of  “generic drugs” in this State  is further compelling evidence that patients and Irish taxpayers are being ripped off. This is the view of Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe who said the Health Service Executive (HSE) was failing to secure a fair price from the Pharmaceutical Industry for drugs with some  costing up to 12 times more from what is available through the North’s  Health Service.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“It is outrageous that people in thiis State are paying up to 12 times more for generic drugs when compared to patients in the North’s  Health Service (NHS) . In a deal  seemingly sanctioned by the Department of Health two years ago, generic drug manufacturers are allowed to charge the State up to 98 per cent of the price of the original branded medicine. This means Irish taxpayers are actually  paying drug companies almost the same price for cheaper generic drugs as it pays for well known  branded medicines.

“The Health Service Executive (HSE) is failing to protect the interests of Irish citizens and by failing to negotiate a fair price from Pharmaceutical Companies and is making situation even worse by this compliant Government  Agreement with that industry. Claims that the massive price differential is a result of specific packaging that is required for this State is an insult to people’s intelligence.

We know that there is crisis after crisis in the roll out of services in Health and cost of drugs is playing a significant part in cost overuns. What is equally disturbing to Irish taxpayes  is the fact that many of the actual drug products are made in Ireland and  shipped abroad to be sold there signifcantly reduced cost to their respective Health ServIces under more favourable “sweetheart deals.” 

“Sinn Féin has repeatedly raised this matter with the Irish  Health Minister James Reilly who should be doing more to reduce costs by ensuring the greater use and availability  of generic drugs. This Survey shows the situation is even worse than many suspected yet the Government has taken little or no  action, apart from the publication of a Bill which has yet to be enacted.

” Surely it is long overdue that  Irish Government representatives  address the  anomoly of drugs being produced in Ireland yet sold abroad cheaper than here to the Irish  Health Service..”