Written Answers Nos. 244-253
244. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update concerning the drugs payment scheme for a family whose teenage boy is on this scheme; and if the whole family is also entitled to this scheme. [39831/12]
View answerUnder the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €132 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines. In order to qualify for the Drug Payment Scheme, you must be ordinarily resident in Ireland. Persons wishing to register for the scheme must complete a registration form which is available from pharmacies or Local Health Offices.
245. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will initiate the necessary procedures immediately, to make Savitex drug available to multiple sclerosis patients, in view of the fact that it is highly successful for the treatment of spasticity and it is available in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39838/12]
View answerUnder the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal products are unlawful except for the purposes of research. My Department is currently examining how authorised cannabis-based medicinal products for patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis may be legally prescribed by medical practitioners and used by patients for the treatment of MS in Ireland. In that respect, Department officials have been engaging with experts to identify how best to legally describe authorised cannabis-based medicinal products while maintaining existing controls on cannabis and cannabis substances. While the legislative amendments required can be made by means of statutory instrument, the legal issues are complex. It is not possible to set out an exact timeframe but it is hoped to bring forward legislative proposals in late 2012 or early 2013.
246. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the total amount of savings delivered each year as a result of medicines pricing agreements between the Health Service Executive and IPHA from 2006 to 2012 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39843/12]
View answer247. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the total savings realised from the Health Service Executive agreements with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association each year from 2006 to 2012 inclusive on off-patent and on-patent branded medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39844/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together.
My Department and the HSE have taken a number of actions in recent times to control expenditure on drugs. Savings are being achieved through on-going off-patent price cuts; the pricing mechanism for new products has been changed; and we now have a review mechanism that takes account of price reductions in other countries. Since 2010 these actions have achieved savings in the region of €250 million.
Furthermore, regulations made under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 have reduced margins and mark-ups in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The combined full-year savings from these measures are €154 million. In addition, I announced on the 18th June 2012 that an interim agreement had been reached with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) to reduce the price of certain off patent medicines. This is expected to deliver savings of €10 million in 2012 (€20 million in a full-year). These price cuts were accepted in advance of further discussions which are expected to deliver more significant savings. Negotiations are ongoing between officials of the Department/HSE and the IPHA since the interim agreement was reached. These discussions are expected to reach a conclusion shortly.
The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 was published on the 13th of July 2012. This legislation will introduce a system of reference pricing and generic substitution for prescribed drugs and medicines. These reforms will promote price competition among suppliers and ensure that lower prices are paid for these medicines resulting in savings for taxpayers and patients.
248. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the form and means by which reference pricing, as proposed in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 currently before the Oireachtas, will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39845/12]
View answerThe Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 provides for the introduction of a system of generic substitution and reference pricing. Generic substitution allows pharmacists to substitute a cheaper generic equivalent, at the patient’s request, when a more expensive product has been prescribed. Reference pricing involves setting a common reimbursement amount for selected groups of medicines. Only the reference price is reimbursed by the State. Eligible patients can avoid out-of-pocket payments by opting for a generic medicine at or below the reference price.
Reference pricing coupled with generic substitution provides patients with an incentive to opt for the cheapest available product, but does not impose any unavoidable additional costs on patients. As more medicines come off patent, the introduction of generic substitution and reference pricing will ensure that both taxpayers and patients will benefit from increased competition in the pharmaceutical market. Savings will be achieved by limiting reimbursement to the reference price, allowing patients to opt for less expensive versions of the prescribed medicine, and promoting price competition between the manufacturers of interchangeable medicines.
249. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent development whereby the Health Service Executive has introduced a cut in removing the facility in which persons that were in district hospitals or community hospitals and needed to go to a larger hospital to meet consultants or have tests done, transport which was previously organised by the HSE is now left to the families to organise the transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39863/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
250. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39866/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
252. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if an urgent hearing test can be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Cork who was supplied with an unsuitable hearing aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39906/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
253. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will consider amending the requirement for persons with genetic rare disorders to regularly re-apply for medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39913/12]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the issue raised by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.
