Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016
745. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he has commenced medicine pricing negotiations with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry; the nature and broad objectives of these negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9911/16]
View answer746. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the stakeholders and/or industry representative bodies included in medicine pricing negotiations to agree drug prices; if talks with these bodies are taking or will take place simultaneously; if not, the reason why; when all negotiations will conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9912/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 745 and 746 together.
The Department of Health, the HSE, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of Government Procurement entered negotiations with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) in recent months, with a view to securing an agreement that:
- significantly reduced the price of medicines to the Irish taxpayer;
- reduced the growth in the drugs and medicines bill to an affordable level;
- and, as a result, put the HSE in a position to invest in new and innovative medicines over the next four years.
It did not prove possible in the negotiations to reach an agreement with the IPHA that would deliver on the State's objectives.
It will now be a matter for the HSE to determine the reimbursement prices paid to pharmaceutical companies for medicines, using its powers under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
