Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This goes to the heart of what the legislation is about. Fundamentally, the Bill's purpose is to save taxpayers' money with generic substitution where practical and possible. The question is whether prescribing on the basis of INNs should be mandatory or whether, as Deputy Ó Caoláin said, prescriptions should be based on the active ingredient.

We all know the pharmaceutical industry is an important component of the economy. It invests significant amounts of money into the economy through infrastructural development, employment and research and development. It has been a key component of government strategy over many years to attract inward investment in research and development. While this is welcome, equally, we have an obligation to save taxpayers' money in certain areas. This is one of these areas.

I am concerned that the Bill does not sufficiently encourage prescribers to prescribe medicines in the form of INNs as opposed to branded products. This is at the heart of what we and the Minister of State are trying to achieve. Compared to any OECD country or Western economy with a similar health system, on a pro rata and per capita basis this country pays an enormous amount of money for medicines. We have to go to the core of why we are paying too much. These amendments would address the issue.

While we did not convince the Minister on anti-epileptic drugs, these amendments would genuinely benefit the Department and the taxpayer in delivering real and substantial savings that could be invested in other health areas. I do not believe they would damage or impinge on what is an integral part of the broader economy - namely, the pharmaceutical industry. I do not believe pharmaceutical companies based in this State are here because the Department of Health purchases their products at an inflated price. The economy is too small to make it relevant to them as they are global companies. They are here for many other reasons, such as corporation tax, our highly motivated workforce and the fact that we have a skill set built up over many years. This needs to be parked as an issue. We need to ensure we save as much money as possible in certain areas so it can be spent in the areas of greatest need. Generic drug substitution is recognised as an integral part of the Government's policy. I am trying to help the Minister in delivering on savings so I can highlight other areas where the money saved could be spent.

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