Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

For the benefit of the meeting and to clarify, lest Deputy Ó Caoláin thinks the Chair is not sympathetic or supportive of what he has been saying, as Chairman of the committee I have been advised that the Bill provides for the introduction of a system of generic substitution and referenced pricing of interchangeable generic medicines. Amendments Nos. 2 to 5, inclusive, in the names of Deputies Kelleher and Ó Caoláin, and amendment No. 6 in Deputy Ó Caoláin's name, seek to exclude medicinal products in the anti-epileptic drug class from the list of interchangeable products. I am advised the amendments involve a potential charge on the Exchequer as the cost to the State from reimbursement under the medical refund scheme in this regard could be greater than that of a substituted cheaper generic equivalent. Accordingly, the amendment must be ruled out of order in accordance with Standing Order 156(3), which provides that an amendment to a Bill which could have the effect of imposing or increasing a charge upon the Exchequer may not be moved, save by way of a Government amendment. That is the advice given to me. We may refer to it again on Report Stage. That matter is dealt with and I have no say in it.