Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is a real need to examine this matter. We have already had the very high-profile situation with Orkambi this year. Patients felt the need to mount a very public and visible campaign and, in many ways, perhaps they were right to do so. However, it placed the State in a situation where the drug companies became emboldened. That is not any criticism of the patients. I do not believe that there is any perfect system in the world for this. I meet EU counterparts quite regularly to discuss this issue because many countries are grappling with it. The current situation, whereby the Minister for Health ultimately ends up in front of Parliament asking "Where is this drug?" is not the most efficient way for patients to access them.

In advance of all parties preparing their pre-budget submissions, I make the point that the cost of providing new drugs in 2017 is something of which we must be conscious. It is really great for patients that there are so many new drugs coming on stream. It is only great, however, if we can buy them. There are many new drugs in the offing. I am engaged in the Estimates process as part of that. I want to flag that to everyone.