asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the reported statement (details supplied) of the President of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union that patients were failing to take essential drugs because of the high cost, he will take all possible steps to resolve this problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Drugs.
10.
I have seen the report to which the Deputy refers. The speaker was referring to persons other than those covered by medical cards and the great majority of whom are eligible for the scheme which provides for the refund of part of the cost of prescribed drugs. While the initial expenditure on drugs has increased in the past year, there has been no increase during the same period in the amount which a person is required to meet from his own resources before becoming entitled to a refund. Therefore the net cost of medicines to such persons has not increased.
The control of drug prices is primarily a matter for the Prices Commission and the Minister for Industry and Commerce but my Department are taking part in discussions relating to certain aspects of drug prices.
Is the Minister aware of the evidence that people are going without drugs because they cannot afford them? Would he consider buying drugs in bulk which could be made available to these people through chemists? This would reduce the cost of drugs.
I am aware that the price of drugs has increased in the last year by 13 to 18 per cent. I would like to stress that as far as the recipient of drugs is concerned, he or she has not had to pay any extra over the last 12 months. The maximum any person in the middle income group pays for drugs is still £6.50.
That is right, but because of the high prices in other areas, parents are doing without drugs to buy food and clothing. The Minister should consider making these drugs accessible to these people at a cheaper price and bulk buying would help reduce prices.
I will not say there is a great deal of evidence of that but we are investigating with the Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Allied Industries Association the price of drugs and in particular the differential between Ireland and the United Kingdom. I am aware that people are very chary of buying drugs because they must pay cash and await for their refund. Sometimes there is a long delay between the time they pay for the drugs and the time they get the refund. It would be my desire that we could short-cut it to the extent that people would not have to pay on the spot. I will certainly examine the Deputy's suggestion.