John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to put on record that I disagree with Mr. Judge's opening statement and the Minister quite clearly disagrees as well. He says there are no legislative barriers to the reimbursement of orphan drugs. I ask why then would the Minister make the statement he thinks the system is broken too? They are two directly opposing views from the same Department.

Moving on to trying to get the best value, Mr. Flanagan gave a very good example of getting in there and batting and waiting for a particular drug that went from €3,800 per unit to €2,100 per unit. I have pointed out, on numerous occasions since I was elected, that there are potential savings of multiple millions in biosimilar products. The IPU has done a report which outlines savings of €320 million over three years. The HSE is anxious to hold out for the best price, and I agree with that approach on orphan drugs. Why is the HSE not banging down the door for the savings it can achieve in the context of biosimilars?