21/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - As part of a joint programme with the OECD, Eurostat has just published a comparison of pharmaceutical prices in Europe in 2005. The analysis reveals wide price differences between member states. In Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Norway, prices are 15-30% above the Community average. Prices in seven countries, Belgium, Cyprus, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria and Finland, are slightly above the EU average (up to 11% higher). Prices are slightly lower (up to 15% below the average) in France, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden and the United kingdom. The price difference is greatest (68-80% of the EU average) in Central Europe, Spain and Greece. (oj)