Written Answers Nos. 201-207
201. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48894/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
202. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an overview of paediatric nursing services here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48900/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
203. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on ongoing work at European Council level to advance the EC Patient Mobility Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48901/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Directive on the Application of Patients' Rights in Cross Border Healthcare was published in the EU Official Journal on 4th April 2011 and the transposition period of 30 months commenced on 24 April 2011. Member States have until October 2013 to implement the Directive.
The purpose of this directive is to establish a clear legal framework to facilitate cross border healthcare with a focus on patient rights, information for patients on entitlements and patient choice.
Given the complexity of the issues to be considered, both nationally and between Member States, it is envisaged that the transposition of the Directive into Irish law will be completed within the transposition time frame of October 2013.
204. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 708 of 16 October 2012, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive [48902/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has advised that the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 708 was due to issue on 6th November 2012
205. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on Health Service Executive clinical programmes in stroke, epilepsy, neurology and rehabilitation for 2013; if he will outline the funding streams that are in place for assisting voluntary and community organisations that support citizens of this state who have neurological conditions and who rely on pertinent services for support, specialist rehabilitation and respite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48913/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
206. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the price paid by the Health Service Executive for drugs which are out of licence; if measures are being taken to reduce this price; the way price compares with other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48990/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI take it that the Deputy is referring to drugs which no longer have patent protection. The prices of such drugs vary between countries for a number of reasons, including different prices set by manufacturers, different wholesale and pharmacy mark-ups, different dispensing fees and different rates of VAT.
Following intensive negotiations with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, IPHA, the Department of Health and the HSE have reached agreement on a major new deal on the cost of drugs in the State. The main provisions of the new Agreement are as follows:
- With effect from 1 November 2012, the ex factory price of all patent protected medicines reimbursed in Ireland prior to September 2006 will be realigned - downwards only - to the average of the basket of nine countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, and UK).
- With effect from 1 November 2012, the ex factory price of all patent expired medicines which do not have a generic equivalent on the Irish market will be realigned - downwards only - to the average of the basket of 9 countries.
- With effect from 1 November 2012, the ex factory price of all patent expired medicines which have a generic equivalent on the Irish market will be reduced to 60% of the original price. With effect from 1 November 2013, the price will be reduced to 50% of the original price.
- In the case of medicines which go off patent after 1 November 2012, the ex factory price will drop to 70% of the original price as soon as a generic equivalent comes on the Irish market. After 12 months, the price will be reduced to 50% of the original price.
- With effect from 1 January 2013, the ex factory price of medicines introduced to Ireland after 1 September 2006, will be realigned - downwards only - to the average of the basket of 9 countries.
The deal will deliver a number of important benefits, including
- significant reductions for patients in the cost of drugs,
- a lowering of the drugs bill to the State,
- timely access for patients to new cutting-edge drugs for certain conditions,
- reducing the cost base of the health system into the future.
This deal, combined with an interim agreement reached with IPHA in the summer, means that €16 million in drug savings will be made this year. It is estimated that the deal will generate savings of up to €116 million in 2013, €136 million in 2014 and €150 million on 2015.
The Department and the HSE have also completed discussions with the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Ireland, APMI, which represents the generic drugs industry, and have secured similar reductions in the price of drugs supplied by AMPI member companies.
The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012, which is currently before the House, provides for the introduction of a system of generic substitution and reference pricing. It aims to promote price competition among suppliers and ensure that lower prices are paid for medicines resulting in savings for taxpayers and patients. It should lead to an increase in the rate of generic prescribing, thus generating further savings in drugs expenditure in the years ahead.
207. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of debt collection agencies employed by the Health Service Executive in 2011 and 2012 for the recoupment of moneys owed; the amount recouped in those years; the cost to the Health Service Executive of employing such agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48993/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have referred this matter to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
