Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 6 March 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health

National Medicines Strategy: Discussion

Photo of Kate O'ConnellKate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A few companies were saying that if there are 100 patients with X condition, they would put a top price on annual treatment, such that if there were 102 people, the two extra would be included in the bulk price.

I ask the witnesses to expand on the matter. I see this as the market, yet again, ring-fencing a chunk of money so they can say to their shareholders: "We definitely have a return of €100 on last year's research." This element has emerged a bit recently with the orphan drugs. Do the witnesses think it is a good model to choose or not? What are the associated pros and cons of this approach?

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