Fiona O'Malley
Question:108 Ms F. O’Malley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will consider removing the fixed pricing policy which exists between the Government and the pharmaceutical industry. [31589/04]
View answerWednesday, 1 December 2004
Questions (84)
Written answers
All aspects of the drug delivery system, from the manufacturer to the patient, are under review. I expect to take definitive decisions soon on the report of the pharmacy review group, which was published in February 2003. The health service procurement improvement project has analysed the State's procurement of pharmaceutical goods and services. A national drugs prescribing group is evaluating proposals on the control of drugs costs contained in various reports, such as the Brennan report and the Deloitte & Touche report, to determine their feasibility and early delivery as part of the health reform agenda.
An agreement that has been reached between the Department of Health and Children, the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland sets out the supply terms and prices of medicines supplied to the health services. It covers all reimbursable prescription medicines in the general medical services and community drug schemes and all medicines supplied to hospitals and health boards. The Department will re-enter negotiations with the associations soon because the current agreement will expire in the middle of next year. I am sure the Deputy appreciates that it is not appropriate for me to comment on issues which may arise in the forthcoming negotiations.