My Department does not collate hospital level information relating to the cost and use of the drug mentioned. As operational issues regarding the services provided by acute hospitals now rests with the Health Service Executive, my Department has asked the director of the National Hospitals Office to reply directly to the Deputy regarding the information requested.
Information regarding the cost of drugs dispensed through community pharmacies on foot of valid prescriptions is collected by the primary care reimbursement service and is set out in the following table.
Year
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
Cost
|
€27,169
|
€30,662
|
€72,800
|
Information regarding the years prior to 2002 is not available.