Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy. The level of investment in recent years is unprecedented in supporting patients through the availability of the latest and wide-ranging medicines. Since 2020, €128 million has been made available to fund access to 217 new medicines, including 74 for treating cancer and 57 for treating rare diseases. For 2025, an additional €30 million will be made available to enable access to new medicines. This will come directly from efficiencies to be achieved by the HSE.

It is important to go back to the statement that once the company responsible for the commercialisation of a new medicine receives marketing authorisation, it can apply for reimbursement in the country or countries of its choice. Ireland, by virtue of its size and market share, may not always be prioritised by a company in the first stages and that has to be taken on board.

Second, the pharmaceutical industry must also play its part. Ireland is open for business and encourages timely applications for reimbursement with reasonable pricing offers. We are confident this will support improved access to medicines in Ireland, including in the area of oncology. I thank the Deputy and I will bring what he has said back to the Minister.

See this speech in context