Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
540. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if negotiations are taking place with the European Commission for a joint procurement agreement for the supply of Covid-19 antiviral drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60057/21]
View answer541. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department has considered a national supply purchase agreement as the fastest route to supply of Covid-19 antiviral drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60058/21]
View answer542. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the expected date he plans to sign a national supply purchase agreement guaranteeing that Ireland will have supply of Covid-19 antiviral drugs for patients here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60059/21]
View answer543. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the way he is ensuring there will be an availability of Covid-19 antiviral drug stock in Ireland over the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60060/21]
View answer544. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been reached by his Department and the HSE to join several other countries in pre-ordering Covid-19 antiviral drugs to avoid delays in getting this product to Irish patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60061/21]
View answer545. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department has engaged with the antiviral Covid-19 drug companies approved by the European Medicines Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60062/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 540 to 545, inclusive, together.
The Department of Health, in conjunction with our sectoral stakeholders are presently evaluating the potential clinical requirements and benefits of all potential covid therapeutics currently awaiting or having recently received EMA approval, including a range of antivirals and monoclonal antibodies, and are currently reviewing all potential options for supply, including EU JPA mechanisms as well as bilateral agreements negotiated through existing national processes.
