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

We might broaden the scope of the legislation. The current provision is quite restrictive as it purely refers to health care professionals. One could argue that the requirement should be already mandatory as the HSE reports and publishes details on the people who work in hospitals but are paid by pharmaceutical companies.

The third issue raised by the Deputy was orphan drugs. I do not believe that my Bill will have an impact on the availability of orphan drugs, primarily because one would hope that all drugs are prescribed for their clinical efficacy and effectiveness. There is a larger debate on the availability of orphan drugs and how they are funded, as witnessed by this committee on a regular basis. In general, orphan drugs, four-generation drugs, other high-tech drugs and medical devices are not covered by my Bill as it primarily relates to a payment to a health care professional. The purpose of my Bill is to ensure that if there is prescribing or use of medical devices by health care professionals that it is done for the right reasons.