Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she will take to ensure that value for money generic drugs will be prescribed by general practitioners wherever possible; if she will review the high mark up paid to retail pharmacists; if savings from the high margins charged by pharmacists in a number of schemes where they are reimbursed by the State will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28805/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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All aspects of the drug delivery system, from the manufacturer to the patient, are currently under review. A number of proposals, including better access to generic drugs and supply chain costs such as pharmacy mark-ups, are being considered with a view to addressing the rapidly rising costs in medicines expenditure both by the State and by private individuals. I must stress that no single measure will achieve this by itself. Indeed, international experience has shown that this is a very difficult task, as the sophistication and range of treatments continue to increase along with, quite justifiably, increased expectations on the part of patients.

With regard to increased use of generic medicines, it is my intention to give patients, and ultimately the taxpayer as the biggest buyer of drugs, better access to generic drugs where this is possible and appropriate. My Department has begun preparatory work for the introduction of structures appropriate to the Irish drug schemes. In addition, negotiations will shortly commence for a new national pricing and supply agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, IPHA, and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland, APMI, for supply of medicines to the health services and it is intended to address this issue within that agreement.

In regard to pharmacy fees, both my Department and the Irish Pharmaceutical Union agree that the current remuneration system is inappropriate and in need of revision. My Department is considering proposals to address the anomalies in the current system, with a view to creating fairness and equity across the drug schemes in terms of how pharmacists are paid for their professional services under the community pharmacy contract.