Results 3,741-3,760 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Motion (8 May 2013)

Alex White: I thank my party colleague Senators for bringing forward this motion and thank all Senator who have spoken, Fine Gael Senators, Taoiseach's nominees, Senator O'Donovan and Sinn Féin representatives. I might comment briefly on the amendment but it was tabled in the spirit of a wide degree of agreement and support for the measures that are being taken. Senator Ó Clochartaigh said...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: In the course of the debate, Members have raised serious related issues with regard to anti-epileptic drugs, AEDs, and the general issues common to this group of amendments. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin reminds me that we are dealing with amendment No. 4. On the last occasion, I was making the point that when issues are raised opposite, they are taken seriously, listened to...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: Deputy Denis Naughten was not here when I made the point about listening to and respecting people, which I do. I have listened carefully to every word stated about this issue. I am not persuaded by the Deputy and other colleagues that the way to proceed is to provide for a hollowed out statutory exemption. On the point made by the Deputy about human error always being a possibility in...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: I know that.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: I accept that.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: During research and development a pharmaceutical substance is given an international non-proprietary name, INN, or a generic name. This INN is generated by the World Health Organisation for all pharmaceuticals worldwide. Each INN is a unique name that is globally recognised and is public property. The method used for assigning each INN promotes the identification of the drug class by the...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: For the information of the House I must indicate, at the risk of irritating Deputy Ó Caoláin, that I was addressing all of the amendments - amendments Nos. 5 to 9, inclusive, and 11.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: The Deputies make some compelling points on this issue, and I thank them for doing so. I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin for raising the issue in the manner in which he has done. I indicated in my response my view of the INN, international non-proprietary name, and the practice of using the non-proprietary name, or the generic name, in the circumstances we are dealing with here. However,...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: I did not say it could not be done.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: If the requirement in respect of INNs was to be put into law, it would need to be included in primary legislation. It would not be appropriate for it to be included in this legislation. It would be necessary to amend the medicines legislation in order to achieve what the Deputies' amendments propose. With regard to discretion, I did not say one could not have legislation that gives...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: The proposed amendment would require that the clinical indications be included in both the prescription by the prescriber and the medicine label by the pharmacist. Two mandatory requirements are suggested in the amendment. It is important to note that many medicines have multiple clinical indications. I fully appreciate the importance of patients having full information on the correct use...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: It is simply one line. Of course, the patient would be taking the substituted generic medicine for the same reason they would have previously taken the branded one. The reason they are taking it does not change.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: There is no new information provided.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: I am listening and I disagree with the Deputy.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: I understand the point the Deputy is raising, but I do not think his case is strengthened because of the requirements under the legislation. In so far as he has a case to make for the amendment, it is already dealt with. A person will have new medicines for the same purpose; therefore, if he or she has one, two or three branded medicines, one, two or all three might be replaced in the...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: Patients will not be any less informed than they are currently.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: Part 4 of the Bill sets out statutory procedures for the supply and reimbursement of medicines and other items to patients under the GMS and community drug scheme. Section 19 sets out the action to be taken by the HSE where it makes a relevant decision under section 18 to add or refuse to add an item to the reimbursement list, to remove an item from the list or to retain an item on it. This...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: An interesting issue has been raised by Deputy Billy Kelleher on which we also had some discussion on Committee Stage. In so far as there is a rationale for the restriction, which presumably there is historically, that is the status quo. If we want to find the rationale, it is in the existing legislation that has been there for whatever number of years with regard to regulated professions....

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (9 May 2013)

Alex White: I thank my colleagues on both sides of the House for their attention to the detail of the legislation and their support for the generality of what it proposes to introduce for the first time in the history of the State. It is long-awaited legislation, which will serve us well. It represents a genuine sea change on pricing and generic substitution of medicines in this jurisdiction. I thank...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists (9 May 2013)

Alex White: The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.