Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

As I stated, cost is but one of the elements taken into consideration. Whatever recommendation is made by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics is but one element in the decision making process. Other issues of concern include clinical effectiveness. This is the main factor taken into consideration. Cost-effectiveness, severity of disease, unmet needs, policy considerations, available funding and other funding priorities must also be examined. We need to be reasonable and balanced when taking these factors into consideration.

As I stated, we have a very large drugs bill and must work very hard to reduce it. There is an onus on all the players concerned to reduce it. We need to address this issue from a prescription perspective and also the overall cost of medicines. That is why it is important that people discuss how we can ensure the supply of medicines is guaranteed on a sustainable basis. As the Deputy stated, we are spending a considerable amount on drugs. Expenditure amounts to almost €2 billion. We need to make space within this budget to allow for new drugs to come onto the market. The Government side, just as much as the Opposition side, and those working in the health service and, most of all, patients want to see the new, effective drugs coming onto the market as soon as possible. This is achieved within a limited envelope. If funding must be provided for new drugs, we must secure a better deal on the cost of existing drugs.

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