Inquiry into whether medicines were exported from Ireland for better prices

An investigation is under way on whether a severe shortage in supplies of commonly used medicines is linked to their export from Ireland for higher prices abroad.

The State's medicines watchdog, the Health Products Regulatory Authority, says it is investigating pharmaceutical wholesalers to see whether they are complying with obligations to ensure an appropriate and continued supply of medicines to meet the needs of patients in the State.

While Ireland’s traditionally high drug prices have long been a bugbear for patients, recent price drops have seen a rise in the phenomenon of parallel exports.

This involves drug wholesalers or pharmacy chains selling their Irish supplies of a medicine to distributors in another country where the retail price is higher.

This has led to product shortages in several clinical areas and the listing of more than 80 products on the medicines shortages list of the Irish Pharmacy Union.

The investigation will centre on Eltroxin, a drug used to treat thyroid conditions.

The sole supplier of the product on the Irish market, Amdipharm Mercury Company Ltd, notified the HSE last month of a shortage in supplies.

A packet of the lowest-strength version of Eltroxin costs €1.21 in Ireland but €3.60 in the UK.

At its highest strength, the drug costs €1.80 in Ireland and €2.52 in the UK.

These price differentials have led to speculation within the industry that supplies are being exported to the UK to take advantage of higher profit margins.

The HSE has put in place emergency reimbursement arrangements to deal with the shortage of Eltroxin.

If Irish pharmacies are unable to access the product, they will be reimbursed for imported alternatives.