Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 October 2020
251. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if he has reviewed the proposals from a group within a report (details supplied) which suggest that if implemented, there could be savings of up to a further €1 billion over the next five years in reducing the cost of medicines here; his engagement on the matter; his views on the cost of medicines here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31977/20]
View answerThe report mentioned has not been brought to my attention or to the attention of my officials in the Department. However, the matters raised are important objectives within the Department. Securing affordable access to existing and new medicines in a timely manner is a key objective of the Irish Health Service. However, the challenge is delivering on this objective in an affordable and sustainable way. Expenditure on medicines represents one of the largest areas of expenditure across the health service and will continue to grow in the years ahead.
The Department of Health is fully supportive of domestic policies that maximise efficiency in our medicines usage. The HSE is actively engaged in implementing effective policy levers across a number of domains and under several initiatives, including those under the Acute Hospitals Drugs Management Programme (AHDMP), the Medicines Management Programme (MMP), and within the Primary Care Eligibility & Reimbursement Service (PCERS).
Foe example, in relation to biosimilar medicines, the AHDMP has a biosimilar strategy in place since 2017. This is making considerable progress using a collaborative approach to bring about changes in prescribing practice.
The MMP completed an evaluation process in 2019 for the identification of the best-value biological (BVB) medicines for TNF- inhibitors under the High-Tech Drug arrangements. In June 2019, a system of gain-share was introduced and is administered by the PCERS with the objective of encouraging the prescribing of the BVB medicines. This has been largely successful in increasing uptake of these medicines.
While progress has been positive, the Department of Health and HSE are continuously monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of current levers to ensure that the State can capitalise on the most efficient policy approach.
