Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Question 637: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the negotiation of a revised drug pricing agreement between the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and the Health Service Executive; if the terms of the old agreement remain in place while negotiations are ongoing; if his attention has been drawn to the lack of price reduction in Lipitor from when it came off patent on 1 June as a result of this agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32191/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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My Department and the HSE are continuing to engage with IPHA to secure reductions in the price of drugs. As an interim agreement, IPHA have agreed to provide €10m in savings in 2012 (€20m in a full year) through reductions in the price of off-patent medicines. The HSE shall give its approval to the reimbursement of drugs which in the normal course of events would have been approved for reimbursement under the schemes. This agreement is in advance of more substantive discussions to deliver a new agreement and substantive price reductions. Details of price reductions in respect of individual drugs are being finalised.