Drug expenditure in Ireland 1997-2007.

Community prescribing accounts for approximately 85% of total drug expenditure. In 2007 spending on medicines under the Community Drugs Schemes exceeded Euro 1.74 billion, a five-fold increase over the decade 1997-2007. The year on year increase in spending on medicines is amongst the highest in Europe. The desire of the HSE to reduce or at least contain drug expenditure is appreciated and is consistent with approaches across other EU member states. Recent developments in drug pricing and reimbursement as outlined here may help to contain the drugs bill. However, the emergence of promising but expensive biologic agents for cancer therapy and other chronic conditions threaten any cost containment measures.