Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2012
54. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health his estimate of the savings to be made in 2013 from the agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57005/12]
View answerFollowing intensive negotiations involving the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and the HSE and Department of Health, a major new deal on the cost of drugs in the State was concluded in October last. It will deliver a number of important benefits, including significant reductions for patients in the cost of drugs, a lowering of the drugs bill to the State, timely access for patients to new cutting-edge drugs for certain conditions and reducing the cost base of the health system into the future.
The Department of Health and the HSE have also successfully finalised discussions with the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Ireland (APMI), which represent the generic industry, on a new agreement to deliver further savings in the cost of generic drugs. It is estimated that the combined gross savings from the IPHA and APMI deals will be in excess of €120 million in 2013.
