Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 8

Written Answers. - Drugs Expenditure.

P. J. Sheehan

Question:

87 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, (a) the total State expenditure on drugs initially budgeted by his Department in 1991 and (b) the final spending in the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Total State expenditure on drugs and medicines in 1991 is estimated at £189 million. This compares with a figure of £180 million in 1990. The breakdown of these figures is as follows:

1990

1991 (estimated)

£m

£m

Expenditure on GMS

114

118

Expenditure on Community Drug Schemes

28

33

Expenditure in Hospitals

38

38

Total

180

189

Taking account of price reductions negotiated with the Federation of Irish Chemical Industries, these figures represent a real increase in drug costs of the order of 10 per cent. This level of increase equates to the volume and substitution increases which have been a factor of the GMS for the past five years.
The most significant increase has taken place in the community drug schemes, which include the drugs refund scheme, the drug cost subsidisation scheme and the long term illness scheme, and the causes of this increase are being critically examined by my Department.
The Government are concerned at the overall level of State expenditure on drugs and medicines. In order to ensure that this expenditure is stabilised, the Government have agreed and implemented, a multi-faceted drugs strategy which includes the establishment of a National Therapeutics Advisory Committee, the introduction of a national formulary, education programmes for practitioners and the public and the use of indicative prescribing targets. The Government have also established an interdepartmental committee to examine all aspects of drug expenditure and this committee will produce their report in March.
Top
Share