Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise some more mundane issues which are important to us as taxpayers. A recent report in a Sunday newspaper indicated that the legislation put in place to deal with the cost of drugs is not having an effect or benefit. It is of concern that we are spending over €2 billion per annum on drugs and pharmaceutical products, three to four, and in some cases, five times above the cost paid in other European countries. It is an issue on which we need to focus and ensure the relevant legislation is followed through by pharmacies and medical practitioners.

We should have the Minister for Health into the House on the new proposed contracts for general practitioners, GPs. Last Monday night, I attended a meeting of over 250 GPs in Cork who are concerned that their new contracts were put online before they saw them. That is not the way to do business. This is a 40-page contract which contains a clause that no GP can speak on any health issue. That is a gagging clause that they will not accept. It is wrong this contract was put online before there was consultation with GP representatives. GPs play an important part in providing a comprehensive medical service at local level. If we do not have them onside, we will further clog up our hospital systems. The Minister should set out to the House how the consultation process will proceed and conclude. The impression being given by the Department is that this is already written in stone. It is not acceptable.