Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Another one of concerns raised was the supply and continuity of medicines. I welcome the provisions in the Bill. I do not want to get into the arguments we had over the years of there being a difference between branded medicines and their alternatives. However, continuity of supply is important. The Irish Pharmacy Union acknowledged that there was a difficulty because Ireland accounts for only a small proportion of the population of Europe and, as such, although it did not say this but we are led to believe it, we have to take our place in the queue. I emphasise again that we do not have to take our place in the queue. The queue is a European one that is available to everybody and every part of the European Union is entitled to have the same supply as it would have if it were the main street of Berlin or wherever. We should also keep in mind that Ireland is a significant manufacturer in the pharmaceutical sector. We need to assert that the theory that this country is a minuscule part of the population of Europe and, as such, has to take second, third or fourth place in a queue for supply, is not correct. We should take whatever steps are needed to ensure the suppliers recognise the fact they have obligations to every country in Europe, big and small, without exception and at the same time.