John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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350. To ask the Minister for Health the action he is taking to develop a national supply and pricing agreement for pharmaceutical products that creates a level playing field for all pharmaceutical companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20754/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines between the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and the Department of Health, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Health Service Executive commenced on 01 August 2016 and shall continue in force until 31 July 2020. The Framework Agreement provides a process for reference pricing on the introduction of interchangeable medicines.

Access to reimbursement for all drugs is determined by the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 Act which provided for the introduction of a system of generic substitution and reference pricing, allowing the HSE to determine the price for generic medicines.

I am advised that preparatory work for negotiations on the next Framework Agreement will commence in the coming months in my Department and in that regard relevant stakeholders will be consulted.