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

This question is about the net savings the Minister anticipates in 2014 in the State's expenditure on drugs. The reason I ask the question is that I note there have been agreements with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, IPHA, and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Ireland, APMI. However, in the Estimates last year it was reckoned there would be a saving of €160 million, but a reply to a parliamentary question I submitted last week stated that the anticipated savings would be €120 million. There is a shortfall of €40 million between the Estimates last year and the saving actually achieved this year. This year the Minister has indicated savings in the Estimates for next year. Will he clarify the anticipated savings in 2014?

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