Very significant differentials between the price paid by the State for generic medicines versus non-generic medicines have been published in a new report from Medicines for Ireland (MFI). The report, Generic Medicine in Ireland, was published as part of Generic Medicines Day and shows that the average reimbursed price of generic medicines was €6 versus non-generic medicines, which was €38. The reimbursed price is the price paid by the State for the medicines and this average €32 price differential illustrates the very significant savings that remain available for the State to avail of through increased usage of generic medicines, MFI stated.
The report was published as part of Generic Medicines Day, which took place on 2 June. Speaking during Generic Medicines Day, Mr David Delaney, Chairperson of MFI, said: “This report is an important reminder that the total spend by the HSE on medicines (€2.4 billion) is the largest single item in the healthcare budget (apart from payroll costs) and yet while there has been some progress in Ireland in the use of generics, it is still falling behind countries such as the UK and the rest of Europe, who have much higher levels of generic medicines use.
“Generic Medicines Day is an opportunity to discuss how important generic medicines are for reducing costs and improving patient access to medicines in Ireland. We can see from the data that in the last 12 months, the average reimbursed price of generic medicines was €6 versus non-generic medicines, which was €38. This illustrates the levels of savings that can be made by the State in the years ahead.
“The current penetration rate for generic medicines in Ireland is 73 per cent — well behind the EU average,” he continued. “The use of generics has grown in Ireland over the last decade, however an increase in line with the EU average would lead to savings for the State, more patient access, better security of supply, thereby freeing money up for the funding of frontline services.”
Mr Delaney added: “Since 2013, the use of generic medicines and biosimilars have provided savings of €1.6 billion to the Irish State. There is further potential to save much more and there are many untapped areas of reform within the medicine pricing and reimbursement system in Ireland that can deliver further value for patients and the State, and Medicines for Ireland can help deliver these changes speedily.
“Ireland is far behind the rest of Europe in terms of take-up of generic medicines. The new National Medicines Supply and Pricing Agreement has the potential to help increase that figure to the 80-to-90 per cent level that exists across other EU member countries. A new agreement can address the significant number of areas that have yet to be reformed and where medicine prices remain higher than necessary and where the opportunity to achieve further savings has been missed.”
MFI member companies — which include Accord Healthcare; Clonmel Healthcare; Consilient Health; Celltrion; Fannin; Fresenius-Kabi; Nasal Medical; Pinewood; Rowa; Teva and Viatris — contribute significantly to Ireland’s €40 billion annual pharmaceutical industry, said MFI.
For more information, visit: www.medicinesforireland.ie.
