Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 2

Written Answers. - Generic Medicines.

Bernard Allen

Question:

56 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will investigate anti-competition practices whereby the public are experiencing difficulties in sourcing generic aspirin and a situation whereby six months ago 100 generic aspirin were available for approximately £1 and now only two branded products are available for two to five times the cost; if she will further investigate the situation where local pharmacists are having difficulty sourcing generic supplies; and if she will further investigate the reason the supply of an essential and cheap medication is being curtailed. [19125/01]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

There are rules related to the operation of competition in the economy and breaches of the Competition Acts are punishable by law. If there are allegations of practices which are contrary to the rules of competition as set out in the Competition Act, 1991, and the Competition (Amendment) Act, 1996, there are two alternative ways of pursuing them:

(i)a person alleging anti-competitive activity within the terms on the Competition Acts can take civil action under Section 6 of the Competition Act, 1991,

(ii)can make a complaint to the Director of Competition Enforcement at the Competition Authority requesting him to investigate the alleged breach(es).

In so far as the issue of the availability of generic aspirin is concerned, I understand from the Minister for Health and Children that he is aware of some recent problems regarding supply in that area and that he is addressing them with the companies concerned.