According to a recent report the HSE are said to be scandalously paying up to six times the cost of medicine for people who currently hold medical cards.
It is understood the HSE spent a staggering €20.5m on aspirin a heart drug, even though it normally only costs just over €3.4m to purchase from pharmaceutical companies. The report found that the scandalous overspend is down to the national health authority being forced to pay outrageous dispensing fees to pharmacists which costs more than medicines themselves.
The latest report will not sit well with the Irish taxpayer due to the fact pharmacy’s already receive significant profits from charging medical holders €2.50 for each prescription item. The new report also found the HSE spent €8m on paracetamol, with €6m of that going towards dispensing fees.
The latest overspend has seen many taxpayers calling on the next government to cut the astronomical fees paid to pharmacists.