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Medicinal Products

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 February 2021

Thursday, 25 February 2021

Questions (268)

David Cullinane

Question:

268. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the supply and pricing agreement of medicines; the parties involved in these discussions; if he or his officials have engaged with an organisation (details supplied) on the matter; his views on whether greater reforms are possible to achieve more sustainable and affordable medicines here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10652/21]

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Written answers

Since the 1970’s, pricing mechanisms and supply arrangements for medicines in Ireland have been determined by the terms of agreements between the State and the respective representative bodies of the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland. The most recent agreement was the Framework Agreement on the Supply of Medicines to the Health Services 2016-2020.

This agreement was due to end in July 2020, however due to COVID-19 it was necessary to seek an extension. The Department of Health and the HSE entered into negotiations with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) in July 2020, agreeing an extension on the terms of the existing 2016-2020 agreement until 31 January 2021. A further extension on the existing terms was agreed until 31 July 2021 to facilitate preparatory work on the successor agreement within the context of the ongoing COVID-19 challenges.

My Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE are presently engaged in preparatory work with a view to initiating negotiations on a successor agreement later this year. My officials will consider all relevant stakeholders as part of that preparatory work.

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