Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I take the point. However, there are circumstances in which a period of more than 90 days may be required. Obviously, it is in everyone's interests that these decisions be taken as soon as possible. That would be the intention. There is a very definite benefit for the State in bringing generic substitutes onto the market and making them reimbursable because this will help to reduce the overall cost of the drugs bill. There are incentives to do this, but in the light of the careful consideration in which the IMB must engage, it is reasonable to set a timescale of 180 days which will, of course, be a maximum.