Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health if the European Commission has recommended to him a strict new system mandating doctors to prescribe generic drugs when available; if he intends to proceed with such a recommendation; if such changes could be introduced by regulation or if legislation will be necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4370/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The European Commission has completed its eighth review of the EU-IMF financial assistance programme for Ireland and has published the technical report by the Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs (ECFIN) which assesses programme implementation by the Irish authorities. The report published on 28 January 2013 identifies areas where the joint EC-ECB-IMF mission considers that further efficiencies could be achieved in the health system. This includes compulsory prescription by active ingredient rather than by brand name with exceptions only for "non-substitutability" cases. The implications of this recommendation are being examined by my Department at present.