Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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33. To ask the Minister for Health the way he proposes to cut the costs of medication to the State and to the general public. [20949/16]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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521. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being taken to reduce the cost of drugs for patients here; and to estimate the amount he believes can be saved by the Health Service Executive in 2016 through reduced drug prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20785/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 521 together.

The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to examine opportunities for leveraging purchasing power either through national or European initiatives and for making greater use of effective but less costly medicines. It also commits to considering a reduction in the prescription charge, having regard to the funding available to facilitate such measures.

We will also continue to build on a number of measures implemented in recent years to reduce the cost of medicines; these measures include the establishment of the HSE's Medicines Management Programme, which has a particular focus on cost-effective prescribing, and the continued implementation of generic substitution and reference pricing.

My Department has recently created a new Community Pharmacy, Dental, Optical and Aural Policy unit to bring a renewed focus to the development of policy in relation to community pharmacy and the issues associated with achieving maximum benefit to patients.

Negotiations and agreements with industry represent just one element of the Government’s strategy to reduce expenditure on medicines; other initiatives will continue to be pursued in the coming months and years to ensure that we achieve affordable prices for medicines for both patients and the State.

A negotiating team representing the State has reached agreement in principle with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association on a new drug pricing and supply agreement. Work will continue between the parties over the coming days to finalise the terms of the agreement, which will deliver real savings in the area of patented medicines. Until the agreement is finalised, I cannot comment on anticipated savings.