Vol. 530 No. 3
163 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children the role his Department plays regarding the price of medicines; if he will obtain an explanation as to the reason the cost of medication (details supplied) for thyroid complaints increased from £2.75 to £9.57 for 100 to over a period of a month; his views with regard to such increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3660/01]
The price of drugs and medicines, ex manufacture, in Ireland has been subject to control since 1972 through the mechanism of formal multi-annual agreements with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association – IPHA – formerly the Federation of Irish Chemical Industries – FICI – which provides that the maximum price to the wholesaler of any new item of medicine introduced to the market and covered by the agreement shall not, on the date of notification, exceed the currency adjusted UK wholesale price or the average of a basket of EU countries, whichever is the lower. Accordingly, Irish prices for the ingredient cost of prescription medicines are generally in line with prices in the UK. A price freeze is also in place in regard to the prices charged for existing products.
Some considerable discrepancies can exist between the prices of individual products between Ireland and the UK, particularly if the comparison is made on the basis of generic equivalents. There is a vibrant generic market in the UK where the overall market is much larger and where there is significant competition that affects prices charged for generic medicines.
The manufacturers of the product referred to by the Deputy notified my Department of their intention to introduce a 28 pack size. Bulk packs of the product, 100 pack and 1,000 pack sizes, are no longer available on the Irish market. The product concerned is imported from the UK and the change in pack size is in line with the UK patient pack initiative and the pricing is in line with the currency converted UK price.
In view of the demand for and importance of this product, my Department deemed it appropriate to accept the revised arrangements.
