I move:
That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 to allow interchangeability between biologic and biosimilar medical goods.
Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) (Amendment) Bill 2016: First Stage
Is the Bill opposed?
Question put and agreed to.
Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.
I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."
Does Deputy Kelleher want to say a few words on the Bill?
This short Bill would amend the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 in two ways. First, it would allow prescribers, consultants and doctors to choose biosimilar drugs or biologics instead of the existing medicines. The second part of the Bill would allow prescribers to prescribe new diagnosed patients with generic, more affordable medicines instead of the branded products.
Question put and agreed to.