Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to raise an issue. The Covid vaccine will be new and €50 million is to be set aside for new drugs approved under the drugs refund scheme. We need clarification that this €50 million will not be swallowed up by the Covid vaccine.

My other issue in respect of new drugs coming on stream and being approved under the drugs refund scheme is that we are now 19th in Europe with regard to the length of time between drugs becoming available generally and being made available in Ireland. We need to take a look at that issue.