Era of ‘super drugs’ piling pressure on health budget

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has warned that high-priced innovative medicines and hospital drug spend, primarily in the the oncology area, will be key drivers of future financial pressures

Ireland’s expenditure on high-tech drugs increased to €578 million in 2016 - up by €250 million since 2011.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform said the 76 per cent growth in spending was considerable, warning that there would be significant future pressure on pharmaceutical spending in Ireland.

In a paper on the Future Sustainability of Pharmaceutical Expenditure, the department warned that high-priced innovative medicines and hospital drug spend, primarily in the the ...