Letters to the Editor

See below the various letters to the editor sent by the IPHA on issues and current developments in the international research-based pharmaceutical industry.

"Tackling drug costs" Editorial - Irish Times (02/08/2010): Madam, I wish to comment on some of the statements contained in your editorial “Tackling drug costs” of the 5th February. The spend by the Irish State on medicines is, actually amongst the lowest in Western Europe. According to the latest available OECD data, Health at Glance 2007, pharmaceutical expenditure per capita in Ireland was just $320 whilst the OECD average was $413 and countries like Germany ($498), Spain ($515) and France ($554) spent well in excess of this sum. Taking another measure, pharmaceutical expenditure as a percentage of healthcare expenditure, the OECD average for 2007 is 17.6% whereas the Irish figure is just 14%.
“Prescription drugs a bitter pill” (07/02/2009): Dear Madam - I refer to the article “Prescription drugs a bitter pill” which appeared in the Irish Times on Monday, 29 June. Tim Delaney, posed the question as to “why governments agree with the astronomical prices charged for new medications by the pharmaceutical companies. ‘Why not ask the drug companies.........for a more ethical approach?’”
The Business of Pharmaceuticals (01/15/2008): Dear Madam - I refer to the article “EU regulations in OTC supplements spark minor war” which appeared in the Irish Times Health Supplement on Tuesday, 15 January. The article included claims by the Irish Association of Health Stores that pharmaceutical companies “don’t want people to stay healthy; they want people to take their medication. Their business is not health, its disease”.
Price of Medicines in Developing Countries (11/27/2007): Madam, - A report headed "Oxfam criticises drug firms for price and patent policies" (Irish Times, Health Supplement, November 27th) included claims by Oxfam that pharmaceutical companies are "guilty of denying medicines to millions of poor people".
Oxfam Charges Against the Pharmaceutical Industry (10/17/2007): Dear Madam - I refer to the charges made against the research-based pharmaceutical industry in an Oxfam leaflet titled “What’s worse than the effects of cheap drugs?” distributed with the Irish Times on the 15 October 2007.

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Letters to the Editor

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