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

The point I have made on this issue is still valid. We should have the benefits of the Single Market as regards the costs of drugs. We have the benefits of access to the Single Market in most areas but not on this issue. With a population of 500 million, the European Union is a major market and Ministers and health agencies in the European Union must capitalise on this when purchasing drugs on the market. If we do not do so, the more developed countries will pay the price of being isolated in the marketplace.