Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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777. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of the national medicines agency as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44752/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a National Medicines Agency, promoting national prescribing to reduce the cost of medicines, including via generic prescription, where appropriate, and to set a fair price for drug reimbursement.

The establishment of a National Medicines Agency would require a significant body of work to be undertaken, to map out an integrated pharmaceutical policy function for the Agency and to consider the resources necessary for its establishment. That work has yet to commence, with the priority and focus on tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.