Minister for Health Mary Harney is to bring forward legislation that would oblige pharmacists to advise patients if an alternative generic drug is available instead of a branded drug.
Less than one in five prescribed drugs are generic in Ireland, compared to four in five in the UK.
Based on last year's spend by the Department of Health, it is estimated this move would save the taxpayer at least €78m.
The proposal is that 100 branded products will be covered in the legislation, which will be introduced later this year.
