Written answers

Tuesday, 9 June 2015

Department of Health

Medicinal Products Prices

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

644. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on discussions with pharmaceutical companies regarding reducing the cost of drugs used in the health service. [21261/15]

Photo of Lucinda CreightonLucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

653. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide Dáil Éireann with an update on his work in reducing drug prices; the reason his Department has not entered negotiations with the pharmaceutical sector; his views that legislation will now be required to reduce the cost of medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21339/15]

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

702. To ask the Minister for Health the action he is taking to reduce the cost of medicines to patients and to the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21636/15]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 644, 653 and 702 together.

In recent times, the Government has entered into a number of price reduction Agreements with both the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Ireland (APMI), delivering 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, and reducing the cost base of the health system into the future. Cumulative savings and cost avoidance generated from these Agreements between 2006 and 2014 amount to approximately €1.5 billion.

The State's existing price reduction Agreement with the IPHA commenced in 2012, and will run until the end of October 2015. Savings of over €400 million are to be delivered as part of this Agreement, with €210 million of these savings to be reinvested into provision by the State of new and innovative drugs.

Consideration is now being given to a range of options available to the State in seeking to deliver further savings on the cost of drugs. Such options include entering into a new Agreement with IPHA as well as the possibility of using the legislative powers afforded to the HSE under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 to review and alter prices.

Officials in the Department of Health are currently working with their colleagues in the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure that the State achieves the best possible deal in terms of future price reductions on the cost of medicines. I am confident that a new arrangement will be put in place which will ensure that further price reductions are achieved for the benefits of patients and the taxpayer.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.