Manufacturers accused of hiking generic drug prices 1,000 per cent

摘要

Generic manufacturers were accused of profiteering in a Mail on Sunday article last week (18 July 2010), which highlighted that the prices of some generic medicines have risen by as much as 1,000 per cent in two years. However, the Department of Health pointed out that the average price of generic medicines has decreased: "Between 2004 and 2009, generic medicine prices fell by over one-third after inflation. During this period the average price of a generic medicine fell from ?.24 to ?.96," a spokeswoman said. She added that the DoH is aware that the prices of a small number of medicines have risen in recent times and is reviewing what action may be taken.