Health

Cheaper biosimilar medicines to be allowed under new law

State expenditure on pharmaceuticals has doubled in the last ten years from €1.3 billion in 2012 to €2.6 billion in 2022 and now represents one of the largest components of overall health expenditure

A biological medicine is derived from living organisms unlike more most medicines which are made from chemical synthesis

Stephen Donnelly plans to allow pharmacies substitute expensive biological medicines with cheaper biosimilar drugs, the Business Post has learned

The Minister for Health will seek government approval in the coming weeks to draft a bill that will allow biosimilars to be used interchangeably with biological medicines in Ireland. The aim of the move is to drive better value for money in a rapidly expanding area of state spending.

State expenditure on pharmaceuticals has doubled in ...