Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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230. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which Ireland can receive the full benefit of the Single Market in respect of the cost and sourcing of all drugs, including those recently developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6624/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Each EU member state is responsible for the procurement of its own medicinal products. However, our membership of the single market offers an opportunity for international cooperation with other member countries to reduce the cost of new drugs.

I and my officials have been actively engaged with our European colleagues on the issue of drug pricing through a number of EU voluntary forums, including the Roundtable meetings with EU Health Ministers and the Pharmaceutical Industry, High Level Pharmaceutical Policy Meetings and the Valletta Technical Committee with a view to developing solutions to issues of medicines pricing, sustainability and supply. These platforms are currently exploring possible areas for cooperation including information sharing, horizon scanning and possible price negotiations and joint procurement.

I will continue to explore further opportunities to engage with Ministers from other EU countries on how to address the challenge of securing access to new medicines for citizens at an affordable price.