Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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452. To ask the Minister for Health if the €10 million ring-fenced funding for oncology drugs announced in Budget 2025 will be sourced from the €30 million allocated for new medicines; the details of the specific ring-fencing of this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45703/24]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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472. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the provision of new medicines funding in Budget 2025; the exact amount allocated to oncology and non-oncology medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45750/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A record of over €3 billion, nearly €1 in every 8 of public funding spent on health, was spent last year on medicines. This is an unprecedented level of investment in supporting patients through the availability of the latest and wide range of medicines.

The State has made an additional €128 million available since 2020 which has seen 187 new medicines or new uses for existing medicines approved for reimbursement by the HSE. This includes 67 medicines for oncology. Dedicated funding has enabled the HSE to approve reimbursement for 16 new medicines so far in 2024. Six of these are for treating cancers and seven are ‘orphan drugs’ for treating rare diseases.

Budget 2025 includes an allocation of €30m for new medicines, to be generated from efficiencies. Continuing into 2025, the Minister for Health will ensure that his Department, the HSE and all relevant agencies and stakeholders place a priority focus on achieving the most efficient and effective use of available resources. The State is committed to providing timely access to new and innovative medicines to all patients.

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).