Mullingar man’s work referenced in Turner cartoon

Significant variations in the price of prescription drugs from chemist to chemist could be having an adverse effect on the health of patients, according to a study carried out by Mullingar man, James Larkin.

The findings have captured the attention and the imagination of cartoonist Martyn Turner, who included them as a component of one of his works in the Irish Times earlier this month.

James and his fellow researchers set out to study the variation and availability of selected prescription drugs.

For the study, a sample of 12 prescription drugs was selected from the top 100 medications by dispensing frequency in Ireland in 2017 was included.

In total, 1529 pharmacies responded. Prices varied and the average price quoted to researchers for each drug was higher than the price paid by the state for patients who can access subsidised medicines.

Evidence was found of significant price variation in community pharmacies.

There was also evidence that some of the pharmacies that responded were not following regulatory guidance on pricing transparency.

Policy measures such as mandated price transparency, or fixed prescription drug prices could help address these issues, James’s study concludes.

Son of local solicitor Denis Larkin and speech and language therapist, Veronica Larkin, James was educated at All Saints NS, CBS and St Finian’s, before going on to study at the Royal College of Surgeons. He is doing his PhD on the overall cost of accessing healthcare for people with two or more conditions and is also working on an Oxfam programme tackling vaccine equity.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, James explained that only 13% of people in low income countries are vaccinated and the programme with which he is involved is trying to address this.

The cartoon can be seen here.