Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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503. To ask the Minister for Health the actions that have been taken to date to meet the Programme for Government commitment to investigate early access schemes for certain types of medicines; whether there are plans to consult with patient organisations as part of this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66868/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government contains a suite of measures on medicines, which we aim to progress over its lifetime. Access to medicines is the focus of a number of workstreams across my Department.

Budgets 2021-2025 allocated an additional €158 million for new drugs, which has facilitated the introduction of 243 new medicines up to November 2025. One hundred and one (101) of these medicines are for treating cancer and 67 are orphan medicines for rare diseases. Budget 2026 allocated €217 million in additional funding for drugs, with €30 million of this allocated for new drugs funding.

In 2023 a review of the drug reimbursement process was published. It found that the process was operating as intended and in line with international norms. Recommendations from the review have now been implemented. A pricing and reimbursement application tracker has been launched to improve transparency. In 2024 an additional 34 staff were recruited to enhance capacity across the pricing and reimbursement system.

Access to medicines requires industry and the State to work together, through timely assessment, and reasonable pricing with fully completed HTAs (Health Technology Assessments). The Government encourages pharmaceutical companies to submit timely applications for reimbursement.

My Department is looking at reimbursement systems across the European Union and working closely on access to medicines with Beneluxa partners, where we have had previous success.

As outlined in the Programme for Government, consideration will be given to early access mechanisms for medicines. Stakeholder views will be included in my Department’s considerations. These mechanisms and their effects are complex and must be evaluated carefully.