Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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486. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated saving to the health budget and to the out-of-pocket expenses of the public, were drug prices here equivalent to each of the five EU countries with the lowest drug prices, in addition to Portugal and Denmark if they are not included in the lowest five; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32003/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It is not feasible to provide a robust estimate of savings from a reduction in the price of branded medicines to the lowest European Union level, as the price of each dosage form and strength would need to be assessed and compared with pricing data from all of the other member states. In addition, the HSE must consider continuity and security of supply in setting prices. Accordingly, the lowest EU price of an individual product may not always represent the best pricing point for Irish patients.