Legislation is to be introduced requiring pharmacists to tell patients when generic drugs, instead of branded medicines, are available.
Currently, when a specific brand of medicine is prescribed for a patient, a pharmacist can only supply that particular brand, even when less expensive versions of the same medicine are available.
Under the proposed model, pharmacists would be permitted to substitute branded medicines for generic ones.
Minister for Health Mary Harney said it was hoped legislation would be introduced later this year, adding: “The new system of generic substitution and reference pricing will promote price competition and deliver greater value for money”.
Due to our ageing population and increased usage of medicines, we can expect upward pressure on our drugs bill for our health services, she said.
“It is essential, therefore, that we maximise value for money in this area of expenditure and use all methods to ensure that the right drugs are used, at the right time for the right conditions, and that the cost of drugs is kept as low as possible”.