asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will establish a Prices Advisory Committee to investigate the price levels, ex-factory, wholesale and retail dispensing, of pharmaceutical products and, in particular, to scrutinise the basis of dispensing charges.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prices of Pharmaceutical Products.
30.
It has been established, by Departmental investigation, within the past year, that increases in the ex-factory and recommended retail prices of medical preparations of Irish manufacture since 1963 have been minimal. I do not, therefore, propose to establish a Prices Advisory Committee to investigate the prices of these products, especially as proposed increases in manufacturers' prices must now be advised to me three months in advance.
I have no control over the ex-factory prices of imported medicinal preparations and I have no evidence that the profit margins taken on these preparations at wholesale or retail levels have been increased. As I now require three months' advance notice of any proposed increase in the profit margins of importers and wholesalers I see no reason for establishing a Prices Advisory Committee to investigate these margins.
As regards dispensing charges, I have no evidence that these charges are unreasonable.