Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health the projected cost of drugs prescribed under the GMS and community drug schemes in 2012; the way this compares to the cost in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28831/12]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Health the proportion of the projected cost of drugs prescribed under the GMS and community drug scheme which relate to payment to manufacturers; the proportion which relates to wholesale distributors and retail pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28834/12]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Health the projected cost to the State of payments under the drug payment scheme in 2012; the way this compares to each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28835/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 176, 179 and 180 together. HSE expenditure on drugs and non-drug items (dressings, etc.) under the GMS and community drug schemes for the years 2007 to 2011, including mark ups and dispensing fees for pharmacists and wholesalers, is set out in the following table:

The relevant figures for the Drug Payment Scheme (which are included in the above table) are set out in the following table:

In 2011, the cost associated with wholesale distribution under the GMS and community drugs schemes was €128,814,961, the total cost of fees paid to community pharmacy contractors was €345,509,388 and the cost of retail mark-up paid to community pharmacy contractors was €39,189,521. The balance of €1,338,417,058 represents the ex-factory cost of drugs and non-drug items plus applicable VAT.

The published HSE Performance Report for January 2012 gives a projected cost for GMS and community drugs schemes in 2012 of €1,745,736,000, including €162,910,000 for the Drug Payment Scheme. A breakdown of projected costs associated with wholesale distribution is not available. The projected cost of pharmacy fees under the GMS is €263,108,000. The projected cost of retail margins and fees under the DPS and LTI is unavailable. There is no retail margin under GMS.