Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the recent positive developments in the area of vaccines for lung cancer, prostate cancer and meningitis in Cuba; his views on whether the widespread availability of these vaccines for cancer and meningitis sufferers would be welcome; and if there is anything that he can do to promote their availability in here and in Europe. [44822/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Internationally, research continues to result in the development of new medicines in a number of countries to fight a broad range of diseases, including those listed by the Deputy. There is a clear process whereby a pharmaceutical company may apply for a marketing authorisation to place a medicinal product on the market in Ireland.

Any pharmaceutical company that wishes to place a medicinal product on the market may seek a marketing authorisation from the Irish Medicines Board, or seek authorisation centrally from the European Medicines Agency. Strict controls are in place to ensure that whenever a new vaccine becomes available this vaccine is safe and effective.

I am kept informed by my Chief Medical Officer of new developments in this area.

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the details of the deal made with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association on 15 October 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48923/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I announced on the 15th October, 2012 that intensive negotiations involving the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), the HSE and the Department of Health had reached a successful conclusion with a major new deal on the cost of drugs in the State. The main provisions of the new Agreement are as follows:

With effect from 1st November 2012, the ex factory price of all patent protected medicines reimbursed in Ireland prior to September 2006 will be realigned - downwards only - to the average of the basket of 9 countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, and UK).

With effect from 1st November 2012, the ex factory price of all patent expired medicines which do not have a generic equivalent on the Irish market will be realigned - downwards only - to the average of the basket of 9 countries.

With effect from 1st November 2012, the ex factory price of all patent expired medicines which have a generic equivalent on the Irish market will be reduced to 60% of the original price. With effect from 1st November 2013, the price will be reduced to 50% of the original price.

In the case of medicines which go off patent after 1^st November 2012, the ex factory price will drop to 70% of the original price as soon as a generic equivalent comes on the Irish market. After 12 months, the price will be reduced to 50% of the original price.

With effect from 1st January 2013, the ex factory price of medicines introduced to Ireland afterSeptember 1^st 2006, will be realigned - downwards only - to the average of the basket of 9 countries.

The deal will deliver a number of important benefits, including

significant reductions for patients in the cost of drugs,

a lowering of the drugs bill to the State,

timely access for patients to new cutting-edge drugs for certain conditions,

reducing the cost base of the health system into the future,

This deal, combined with an interim agreement reached with IPHA in the Summer, means that €16 million in drug savings will be made this year. It is estimated that the deal will generate savings of up to €116m in 2013, €136m in 2014 and €150m on 2015. A breakdown of savings by scheme is not currently available. The cost of new drugs over the next three years is estimated to be €210 million.

This landmark deal with IPHA comes as legislation aimed at reducing the cost of generic drugs makes its way through the Oireachtas. The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012, which will introduce a system of reference pricing and generic substitution, is a priority for this Government. It is expected that this Bill will be enacted before the end of the year and will deliver further savings in the costs of medicines for the health service and private patient.