Seanad Special Select Committee discuss Cross Border Healthcare Directive & Medicines for Ireland post-Brexit

The Committee of Senators will meet at 12pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.

The meeting will be in two sessions as follows:

Session 1 - 12 to 1pm - Cross Border Healthcare Directive with officials from the Department of Health

Session 2 – 1pm to 2pm - Medicines for Ireland post-Brexit with representatives from Medicines Ireland

The Cross-Border Healthcare Directive (CBD) provides for the reimbursement of the costs of receiving treatment in an EU member state for a patient who would be entitled to this same treatment in his/her home state. Since the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, this CBD no longer applies to the UK, including Northern Ireland.

Speaking ahead of Monday’s meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Senator Lisa Chambers said: “The Committee welcomes the opportunity to discuss the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive (CBD) with the Department of Health officials. The CBD provides for the reimbursement of the costs of receiving treatment in an EU member state for a patient who would be entitled to this same treatment in his/her home state.

Since the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, this CBD no longer applies to the UK, including Northern Ireland. A discussion around this fact and further clarification is needed for patients who are expecting to avail of the scheme.”

Senator Chambers added: “In our second session, the Committee will discuss the supply of medicines in Ireland post-Brexit. Although some good news from Europe and its decision to ensure that the long-term supply of medicines from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is maintained and the fact that preparations were put in place in the rollup to Brexit, the ongoing issue of medicine supply to Ireland needs to happen – especially for short-life medicines. The Committee looks forward to discussing this with Medicines Ireland.”

You can view the meeting in Committee Room 4 on the Oireachtas website.

More information can be found on the dedicated Committee Webpage. Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.