Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
1101. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been spent in each year between 2008 and 2015 by the health services on biosimilar medicines; the proportion of each year’s total spend that this comprises; the measures that will be implemented to increase the use of biosimilars; if he will consider implementing a specific policy to increase the use of biosimilars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32022/15]
View answerThe use of biotechnology in the pharmaceutical field has led to the development of many new biological medicines, offering new treatments for a range of serious illnesses.
The manufacturing of a biological medicine is a complex process. Biosimilar medicines are similar but not identical to their reference biological medicines, and therefore are not considered in the same way as generic medicines. Under the Heath (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, biosimilars are not considered to be interchangeable, and therefore cannot be substituted for biological medicines.
It is likely that the use of biosimilar medicines will grow in Ireland in the coming years as the patents on biological medicines expire. However, promoting the increased use of biosimilar medicines must be carefully considered, and issues such as prescribing practices around biosimilars are currently under consideration by the Department.
Biosimilar medicines are not currently categorised as such on HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service databases; therefore it is not possible, without the allocation of significant resources, to collate the amount spent on biosimilar medicines in each of the years from 2008 to 2015.
