May 2006 »

Financial incentives considered towards use of generic drugs

10 May, 2006

The Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney has said that it was a good idea for the Department of Health to consider the provision of financial incentives for GPs to encourage them to prescribe generic drugs for private patients.

However, speaking in the Dáil last week the Minister ruled out the introduction of any form of State cap on the use of expensive new drugs.

Ms Harney said that the Labour Party health spokesperson Liz McManus had made an interesting point about the provision of financial incentives for GPs to prescribe generically for their medical card patients.

“We used financial incentives to encourage GPs to prescribe on the medical card. It is a good idea which we should examine,” Ms Harney said.

Speaking in the same debate Ms McManus said that the Labour Party would be keen to support the Minister in any move towards the use of generic drugs, “so long as it is reasonable.”

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