Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

504. To ask the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the HSE has been achieving value for money on medicines through the agreement with an association (details supplied) and bilateral negotiations with biopharmaceutical companies over the past two years. [13310/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The current Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines, signed in July 2016 between the Department, the HSE, and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) is due to expire at the end of July 2020.

This Framework Agreement is a key cornerstone in this country’s national pharmaceutical policy, and it has been instrumental in helping to support sustainable access to medicines for patients. The savings provided for under the agreement are essential in creating headroom for new medicines. 

Between 2016 and 2019 the Agreement is estimated to have delivered savings in the order of €600 million.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has disrupted the planned business of the Department and the HSE for 2020, including preparations for a successor Agreement. In the circumstances, my Department and the HSE are in discussions with IPHA on a potential extension of the duration of the current Agreement.