People should ask their pharmacist if there is a cheaper generic alternative to their medicine and consult with their doctor about whether this version is suitable for them, according to McCabes Pharmacies.
"It is worth talking to your doctor about the drugs he or she is prescribing. Some doctors do prescribe generically, some doctors don't. It depends on their own preference and whatever pops into their head," says Ciara McCabe, a qualified pharmacist and spokeswoman for McCabes Pharmacies.
With a plethora of multisyllabic names all meaning the same thing, prescription drugs can be confusing for consumers and they may sometimes be suspicious that the generic drug is a substandard, yellow pack product that won't do the same job as the reassuringly expensive original.
"All the medicines we supply have been licensed by the Irish Medicines Board. In many cases, the generics have to meet an even higher standard than the original," says McCabe.
Other ways to cut costs are outlined in McCabes Pharmacies' new consumer leaflet, Making Medicines More Affordable. For example, once families spend more than €250 (or €125 for individuals) a year on certain medical expenses they can claim tax relief. At the end of the tax year, the pharmacy will provide consumers with a printout of all prescriptions dispensed. Consumers return this printout with a completed MED 1 form, available from the Revenue.
