Pricewatch »

• A bitter pill to swallow

  September 15, 2008 @ 3:12 pm | by Conor Pope

  When people complain about higher prices in Ireland, they tend to focus on groceries and clothes and, while the discrepancies in the cost of identical products between this jurisdiction and others in these areas can be pretty hefty, there are, at least, some ways to economise.

  By shopping in the Aldis and Penneys of the retail world, consumers can undoubtedly cut costs and by swapping overpriced but instantly recognisable brands in favour of generic own-brand alternatives, a packet can be saved. There are, however, other areas where the price gaps between here and almost everywhere else is as great, if not greater, but consumer choice is significantly reduced and the ability to shop around almost non-existent.

  While it won’t come as a shock to many people to learn that Irish consumers pay considerably more than those living in other jurisdictions for many medicines – both over the counter and prescription – the extent of some of the price differences are truly shocking.
  (more…)

• As bad as it gets

  January 19, 2008 @ 9:10 am | by Conor Pope

  We may complain about our health service (and with plenty of justification when you hear of people dying because they can’t get access to the treatments they need fast enough, women in their 90s being forced to spend over 24 hours sitting in chairs in our A&E units waiting for treatment and the 1000 young people with cystic fibrosis (sub required) repeatedly let down by a Government incapable of keeping its promise to them) but a story I read this morning shows how far we have to fall before we reach the levels of inhumanity on display in the US. This is the story, which comes from The Irish TImes, via Reuters.
  (more…)