Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:178 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the annual reduction in drug costs to each health board under the GMS since 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Vol. 441 No. 3
178 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the annual reduction in drug costs to each health board under the GMS since 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Deputy will be aware that drug costs in the GMS scheme have shown a steady increase in recent years. This increase, similar to that experienced by most developed countries, has been attributed to increased consumption, and the availability of newer more sophisticated and, inevitably, more expensive medicines. Given the changing demographic profile of our population, and the developments in pharmaceutical technology, there can be no doubt that demand for medicines will increase in the years ahead with consequences for health expenditure.
1991£m |
1992£m |
% change1992 vs. 1991 |
1993 (prov)£m |
% change1993 vs. 1992 |
|
EHB |
33.9 |
39.1 |
15.34 |
40.8 |
4.35 |
MHB |
7.9 |
8.8 |
11.39 |
9.2 |
4.55 |
MWHB |
11.1 |
12.4 |
11.71 |
12.5 |
0.81 |
NEHB |
11.2 |
12.7 |
13.39 |
13.1 |
3.15 |
NWHB |
9.3 |
10.4 |
11.83 |
10.3 |
–0.96 |
SEHB |
13.7 |
15.6 |
13.87 |
15.8 |
1.28 |
SHB |
18.2 |
20.4 |
12.09 |
21.1 |
3.43 |
WHB |
15.0 |
16.7 |
11.33 |
16.7 |
0.00 |