Jim Higgins
Ceist:183 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health (a) the way the national drugs bill for this country compares with the EC average and (b) if he has any plans to bring our drugs bill into line with EC averages.
Written Answers. - National Drugs Bill.
I will forward by letter to the Deputy the data in relation to EC countries, requested in his question. While I am aware that expenditure in Ireland is amongst the lowest in the EC, I am, nevertheless, concerned about the overall cost of drugs and medicines in our health service. In this regard my Department are actively engaged in devising a co-ordinated drugs strategy to ensure that patients are prescribed with the safest, most appropriate and most cost effective medication for their conditions.