Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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320. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the open policy forum that took place on 15 November 2018 with the Departments of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, his Department and an association (details supplied); if he will provide the records and minutes available from the forum; his views on whether civil society interest groups should be invited to further open policy forums and structured platforms of engagement to share their knowledge and perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3816/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Securing access to new and innovative medicines in a timely manner is a key objective of Government and the health service. However, the challenge is to deliver on that objective in a manner that is affordable and sustainable.

In an effort to identify workable solutions to the challenges which we face, I proposed a dialogue with Industry to explore ways in which new medicines might be more easily introduced in Ireland. This invitation was built on the premise that any innovative approaches that may be tabled must be compatible with the statutory provisions which are in place and must also recognise the context of finite Exchequer resources.

It was in this context that an Open Policy Forum took place on the 15 November 2018 in relation to access to new medicines between the Department of Health, the Department of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and the Irish Healthcare Pharmaceutical Association. This policy forum was held under the Chatham House Rule so as to encourage free discussion and there were no records or minutes taken at this event.

I look forward to more engagement over the course of the year with the aim of building a fairer partnership between industry and the State to help ensure that Irish patients get sustainable access to new medicines in as timely a manner as possible.