Professor Michael Barry:

The Deputy is absolutely right. That is an area where we can make substantial savings and, in the medicines management programme, we have taken this on. Consultation finished on Friday last. The anti-tumour necrosis factor drugs which the Deputy mentioned account for approximately €250 million. Adalimumab, or Humira, and etanercept, or Enbrel, are the two leadings ones and are not far off €200 million. We will publish what, in our view, is the best biologic value of choice for the health service in this country. We hope to do that in early 2019. That will afford the HSE the opportunity then to highlight that this is the best value product and we should be using it.

I agree with what Mr. Flanagan is saying, that it is down to prescribers as well, but we will be issuing that guidance very early in 2019. I agree that there are lots of potential savings. It is about creating space in order that we can afford the other drugs that we are discussing.