Dr. Leisha Daly:

As I stated, the molecules are much more complex and a much more significant investment is made in the development of such medicines. Many members will be familiar with pharmaceutical plants in Carlow, Cork and Grangecastle which are developing some of these new medicines. It takes between three and five years to get a manufacturing plant up and running and costs up to €500 million before it starts to manufacture a medicine. The development and production of these medicines is a highly complex process. Moreover, not all of them are as expensive as some of the headline drugs about which we hear. Nevertheless, I note the Chairman's point.