Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The issues in respect of pricing have been well covered. Mr. O'Mahony indicated that prior to the Irish Medicines Board's establishment, it was officials in the Department of Health who advised the Government in this regard. What was the thinking behind removing responsibility for this matter from the Department? What evidence is there to show that this is a better way of operating? Is this just a case of another Government Department being hollowed out in order to create a separate organisation? I am concerned in respect of the communications strategies that are in place with the Department, particularly in the context of their effectiveness. What steps are taken to ensure the relevant information gets to those charged with prescribing and pharmacists in order to ensure that people will - at the right time - be given drugs which represent the best value for money?