James Leonard
Question:110 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the co-operation between the eight health boards in the purchasing of drugs and equipment.
Written Answers. - Health Boards' Co-operative Purchasing.
During the past year the eight health boards have been co-operating in a more structured way as part of A Value For Money initiative encouraged by my Department. A VFM Steering Group representative of all health boards was established by the chief executive officers and is chaired by the chief executive officer of the Eastern Health Board.
A key element of the work of this committee is to provide a mechanism and structure by which health boards can maximise their collective purchasing power in respect of various goods and services. My Department is also actively involved in encouraging co-operation among various agencies in the purchase of equipment.
With regard to the purchasing of drugs, I am currently awaiting the report from the inter-departmental group on drug costs appointed by the Government last year.
The terms of reference of the group are: "to examine the various factors which influence the cost of prescribed medicines to the Exchequer and to make recommendations to the Minister for Health on strategies to be pursued to contain/reduce drug costs."
I expect this group to make recommendations as to the most effective purchasing of drugs by health boards and other agencies in the context of the current FICI agreement and for the future.
While I am satisfied that progress has been made on co-operation between the health boards in relation to purchasing, there is still considerable scope for further development and wider application of the initiatives which have taken place. This will remain an area of particular concern to my Department in the promotion of better value for money.