asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the high prices charged for pharmaceutical products he will appoint a committee under the Prices Act, 1958 to ascertain whether there is any justification for the present prices of such products.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prices of Pharmaceutical Products.
17.
On the information at present available to me this does not appear to be a case in which a Prices Advisory Committee should be appointed. Enquiries made in the matter have included discussions in my Department with representatives of the Irish Drug Association. The result of these enquiries, so far, tends to show that, with the exception of a limited number of proprietary preparations, prices here are approximately the same as those operating in the Six Counties and in Britain. Enquiries in the case of the exceptional items mentioned are being continued.
Is the Minister aware that there is public disquiet at the prices charged for pharmaceutical products in this part of the country and that public uneasiness in that respect is not satisfied by a closed door discussion between the Department and those who produce these products? Will he, therefore, in order to allay public disquiet, arrange to set up a committee under the Prices Act for the purpose of having the matter examined in public, so that either present prices may be justified or steps taken to compel a reduction in prices?
So far, the inquiries I have initiated indicate that the public disquiet is unfounded and such public disquiet as there may be seems to be caused by unfair comparison, in certain contributions to a newspaper, between prices here and prices in the Six Counties. The unfair comparison I mention is that the cost prices to chemists of drugs in the Six Counties were compared with the retail prices charged by chemists in this part of the country. However, over the whole area, any discrepancy between prices has been reduced now to ten per cent. and within that area I am having exhaustive inquiries made and I feel that I shall be in a position to allay any public disquiet.
Is the Minister aware that the Prices Act was passed to enable an independent body to express an independent opinion on such matters and that it is not fulfilling the letter and spirit of the Act for the Department to hold an inquiry which is not fully representative?
That seems to be an argument, not a Question.
Is it not a fact that the Minister has shown himself to be biassed by refusing to accept the recommendations made in 1956 by the Fair Trade Commission, which recommendations were designed to bring about improved methods of trading, with likely reductions?
I have no bias. If the Deputy is challenging my impartiality, I can only say that I am completely impartial and have no bias whatever.