Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State's explanation as to why he cannot or will not accept our views. What he said, however, will not assuage people's concerns. Equally, he did not really address the fundamental issue. I read the relevant passage of the Moran report and it indicates that anti-epileptic drugs, AEDs, cannot be classed as interchangeable in the absence of a critical analysis being carried out of availability and all the other considerations relating to particular medicines. It is fine for the phrase "do not substitute" to be written on prescriptions, but there comes a time when patients find comfort in and benefit from certain drugs, be they generic or otherwise. I refer to those who suffer from epilepsy and the drugs to which I refer prevent them from having frequent seizures. There are no difficulties with many of the other medicines being used by epileptics in the treatment of pain, migraines, etc. Those with epilepsy are specifically concerned about those medicines which prevent them from having seizures. Consultant neurologists and others also have grave concerns about this matter. I am certainly not competent to second-guess their opinions, but I certainly respect these opinions which are very clear and state AEDs should be exempt from the rules on substitution. That is why we should be extremely cautious in the moves we are making in this regard.

The various advocacy groups have not expressed the same concerns as those expressed by Epilepsy Ireland and consultant neurologists about the practice of substituting medicines. Epilepsy Ireland has stated, "However, we are vehemently opposed to any system that will allow for patients currently prescribed a particular brand to be switched from that brand to a generic form of the drug, or to be switched from one generic to another." The issue of concern which arises, therefore, is not switching to generic drugs but rather the concept of switching in the first instance. That is why I will be opposing section 5 in its entirety. I will be seeking all the support I can muster, but my prospects in that regard do not appear very hopeful. Another reason I will be opposing the section is this matter has given rise to huge disquiet.