asked the Minister for Local Government if it is a fact that pharmaceutical products are purchased on the basis of price only by the Central Purchasing Office of his Department; and that as a result approximately five-eighths of such products are now imported; and if he will take steps to ensure that priority be given to Irish-made products in the future, and that quality will be taken into consideration as well as price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish-Made Pharmaceutical Products.
10.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Tenderers are required to submit samples complying with approved formulae or specifications. In regard to the second part of the question, the practice at present is to list suitable suppliers of Irish manufactured products as official contractors along with the successful tenderer offering to supply similar imported products at lower prices. In these cases it is open to local authorities to purchase the Irish manufactured products. The extent to which preference may be extended to suppliers of Irish manufactured products in the appointment of official contractors for the next contract period is being examined.