John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have been raising the issue of biosimilar drugs, and the potential savings associated with them, since I was elected to this House in 2016. Last week, I tabled a parliamentary question to look for figures for the past three years. According to an article by Evelyn Ring in this morning'sIrish Examiner, over €1.2 billion has been spent on biological drugs in the last three years. In the same period, just €2.2 million has been spent on biosimilar drugs. I have pointed out time and again that an annual saving of €100 million is available to the HSE if it uses biosimilar products. That €100 million could be spent on drugs like Spinraza, which is used to treat spinal muscular atrophy. Alternatively, it could be spent on the autism services that I am continually following up with the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. Nobody is taking up this possible saving. What do we have to do to get efficiency in the HSE? It is scandalous that this money is being left behind year after year.

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