Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree wholeheartedly with the Senator on this. I assure her that the Minister for Health appreciates the importance of ensuring patients in Ireland have prompt and equitable access to the latest drugs. This is why the State has made considerable investments in new medicines in recent years. Over €3 billion of public funding was spent on medicines for patients in Ireland last year. Since 2021, we have provided the budget to allow the HSE to approve reimbursement of 148 medicines or licence extensions, including 61 for cancer. Budget 2024 will make €30 million available for new drugs. This has enabled the HSE to approve reimbursement for 13 new medicines so far this year.

As I noted, in Ireland we have a voluntary community-rated health insurance market and the Government, including the Minister for Health, does not have any direct role in the day-to-day commercial decisions of the health insurers. Again, I note on behalf of the Minister the points the Senator made about early-access pathways. Outcomes are improving for cancer care in Ireland. However, in the spirit of Sláintecare, it should not be a two-tier system. It should be equitable for everybody and not based on ability to pay.