Vol. 408 No. 7
157 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the way he proposes to deal with the estimated overrun in the General Medical Service budget this year of £15 million; and if the introduction of a supplementary estimate to cover this increase will be proposed.
It is not possible, at this stage of the year, to form a clear view as to the likelihood of any variations from the budgeted cost of drugs in the GMS. The introduction of a supplementary estimate does not, therefore, arise at this time. Drug costs will be closely monitored throughout the year, and every effort will be made to ensure that costs are kept to a minimum, consistent with the provisions of an effective service. As the Deputy may be aware, my Department have developed an integrated strategy to control the cost of drugs while ensuring that patient needs are met.
As part of this strategy I launched the national drugs formulary earlier this year which inter alia encourages the use of generics. The Deputy should also note that as a result of the agreement between the Government and the Federation of Irish Chemical Industries, drug prices fell by approximately 10 per cent in August 1990.
