Vol. 490 No. 4
66 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the current system of pricing of medicines that produces a differential in price of an aspirin from 1.6 pence to 21.2 pence depending on the product chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10183/98]
The system of pricing of medicines has been determined by means of successive agreements between the Department of Health and Children, the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and the Irish Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association.
The current agreement which covers the period 1 August 1997 to 31 July 2002 includes the following elements. It provides that the price to the wholesaler of any new item of medicine introduced to the market and covered by the agreement shall not, on the date of notification, exceed the currency adjusted United Kingdom wholesale price or the average of a basket of EU countries, whichever is the lower. It also provides for a price freeze for drugs and medicines for the duration of the agreement.
Although anomalies in the price of some individual medicines may occur from time to time, I am satisfied the agreement in place with the industry ensures that the most modern medicine therapies are available to patients at reasonable prices.
