Due to incorrect information being given to a number of pharmacists during their flu vaccination training programme, some patients have received only half the recommended dose (paediatric dose) of the flu vaccine.

These patients will be contacted by their pharmacist in the coming days to return for a revaccination. The vast majority of patients however have received the correct dose.

The 2011 Pfizer Health Index report, which launched on 24th October 2011, revealed that 1 in 5 Irish adults would place free universal access to healthcare, as one of their top three healthcare priorities, with 2 out of 3 being broadly in favour even if it would increase income tax rates by an average of 1%.

According to the findings of the SELECT trial (The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial) published in the 12th October 2011 issue of JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), vitamin E supplementation of 400 IU per day may carry a 17% increased risk for prostate cancer.

A Finnish study published in the October 10 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine claims that some widely used vitamins and minerals can increase risk of death.

The study looked at the long-term effects of multivitamin and mineral supplementation in older women, aged between 55 to 69 years. A total of 38,772 women were included in the study that started in 1986 and continued for 22 years.

The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) in association with Revenue's Customs Service and An Garda Síochána took part in the INTERPOL co-ordinated operation Pangea IV in a fight against the online sale of counterfeit and illegal medicines.

Authorities from more than 80 countries were involved in this week-long initiative focusing on websites that supply illegal and dangerous medicines. The initiative which took place from 20 to 27 September 2011, is the largest internet–based action of its kind in support of the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT).

Substances detained in Ireland included products for weight loss, erectile dysfunction as well as mood stabilisers. A total of 492 packages containing 51,621 tablets, capsules and creams with an estimated value in excess of €150,000 were intercepted by Customs officers.

Image 1: Generic Rx.

More and more people have been taking an ever closer look at their finances in an attempt to stretch their budget that little bit further. Despite a number of significant price drops in recent years, Ireland is still one of the most expensive countries to buy medicines in. To combat this, we will be taking a look at a couple of ways of reducing your medicines bill, so that you're not forking out any more than you absolutely have to.

For most goods and services the price calculation is pretty straight forward. It will typically consist of a cost price + markup + VAT. So for an item that costs €1 to make, the merchant will add a markup of say 30% and VAT at 21%, bringing the total price to €1 x 1.3 x 1.21 = €1.57. So if you want to buy two of these, you'll be paying 2 x €1.57 = €3.14. Simple right? So why is this important? Read on!