Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 739: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the increase in the cost of medicines; the reason for the recent price increases to more than the original price; the steps she is taking to ensure that persons who have to pay for their medicines over the counter benefit from price reductions. [33255/10]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 778: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his views on the increase in the cost of medicines generally; the reason for recent price increases to more than the original price, specifically regarding medicines (details supplied); and the steps she is taking to ensure that persons, that have to pay for their medicines over the counter, benefit from price reductions.. [33617/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 739 and 778 together.

I have introduced a number of measures in the past year to reduce the costs of drugs and medicines for both the State and consumers. These measures have included a reduction in the wholesale and retail mark-ups under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 and new price agreements with IPHA (Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association) and APMI (Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Ireland) which have reduced the price of hundreds of the most commonly prescribed off-patent medicines by 40%. Cumulatively these measures are expected to deliver savings to the State of over €200m in 2010.

I was most concerned to learn that some pharmacists were not passing on the benefits of these price and margin reductions to those patients whose expenditure on drug purchases are not met by the Health Service Executive e.g. persons whose monthly expenditure is below the €120 per month threshold under the Drugs Payment Scheme. I have raised this matter with the Irish Pharmacy Union. It is disappointing that some pharmacists are withholding the benefit of the lower prices from some of their customers. The public deserve better in these difficult economic times.

The Code of Conduct for Pharmacists issued by the Pharmacy Regulator (The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland) requires pharmacists, amongst other things, to provide honest, relevant, accurate, current and appropriate information to patients regarding the nature, cost, value and benefit of medicines, health-related products and services provided by them. Every pharmacist has an obligation to comply in full with the statutory Code of Conduct. Patients have every right to ask a pharmacist the reasons for the price they are being charged and if dissatisfied can, if they so choose, transfer their custom to an alternative pharmacy.

I am not aware of any increases in the prices of the products referred to by the Deputy. The prices of individual medicines may be increased by the HSE in limited circumstances. This aspect of the Deputy's question has been forwarded to the HSE for direct reply.