Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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205. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the differential in price which arose in the case of a drug (details supplied) since it stopped being a prescription only medicine and became widely available over the counter; if the cost of this medicine can be included in the discussions between the Health Service Executive and the pharmaceutical company involved, with a view to reducing its cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9716/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Dona Glucosamine Sulfate is not available under the GMS or community drugs schemes. Neither the Minister for Health nor the HSE has any power to set the prices of drugs and medicines purchased by private patients.

The transfer of a drug from 'prescription only' to 'over the counter' may lead to a price increase due to the increased risks and costs associated with this transfer for the marketing authorisation holder or distributor. The price set for over the counter drugs is a purely private matter for the manufacturers and pharmacists involved and the HSE nor the Department has any remit to intervene.