Written answers

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

Department of Health

Drugs Payment Scheme

9:00 pm

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 542: To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of drugs at the time of Budget 2012; the new estimate for this year following the agreement between the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30412/12]

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 543: To ask the Minister for Health when he expects to complete discussions on a final agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association on drug costs in addition to the interim agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30413/12]

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 544: To ask the Minister for Health the drugs that will be made available to patients under a new agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association; the number of patients expected to benefit; the total cost; when the drugs will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30414/12]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 to 544, inclusive, together.

As announced last week the recent interim agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) should deliver savings of approx €10m in 2012. As part of the agreement, the HSE will give its approval to the reimbursement of drugs which in the normal course of events would have been approved for reimbursement under the schemes. The HSE is assessing a number of applications from manufacturers and suppliers for the inclusion of their products on the GMS and community drugs schemes. I am not in a position to fully assess the budget impact and numbers of patients expected to benefit until these applications and related price negotiations have been completed. Detailed discussions with IPHA on a possible new agreement shall commence shortly. These discussions shall be concluded in the shortest possible time.

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