The prices of 800 commonly-used drugs and medicines are to be reduced by about 20 per cent from today under the terms of an agreement between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the pharmaceutical industry.
Under the deal between the HSE and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland, a further price reduction of 15 per cent will take effect from January 2009.
The HSE said last night the price of a 28-pack of Lipostat 40mg tablets would fall from the recommended retail price of €54.29 to €43.43. A pack of 21 Augmentin 250mg/125mg tablets would fall from €11.10 to €8.88, and the price of a pack of 28 Losec MUPS 20mg would fall from €49.61 to €39.69.
The HSE said the reductions, which were originally announced last year, could result in savings to the State of over €250 million a year.
"The ambitious agreements will deliver significant value for money for the organisation once they are all fully implemented, while at the same time maintaining the excellent level of service provided by the HSE, pharmacists and GPs to our patients and clients."
The president of the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, John McLaughlin, said: "These significant price reductions demonstrate the Irish pharmaceutical industry's commitment to Irish patients."
