Gay Mitchell
Ceist:87 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will consider points made by a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33931/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 16 December 2004
Ceisteanna (90)
Freagraí scríofa
All aspects of the drug delivery system from the manufacturer to the patient are currently under review. The health service procurement improvement project has analysed the State's procurement of pharmaceutical goods and services. A national drugs prescribing group is evaluating proposals in relation to the control of drugs costs contained in various reports, for example, Brennan and Deloitte & Touche, to determine their feasibility and early delivery as part of the health reform agenda.
An agreement is in place between the Department of Health and Children, the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, IPHA, and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland, APMI, which sets out the supply terms and prices of medicines supplied to the health services. The agreement covers all reimbursable prescription medicines in the general medical services and community drug schemes and all medicines supplied to hospitals and health boards. The current agreement expires in mid-2005 and the Department will shortly be entering into negotiation with IPHA-APMI.
It should be noted that clinical decisions in relation to prescribing are taken by a general practitioner or consultant based on the symptoms of the presenting patient. A pharmacist may only vary a prescription in exceptional circumstances. There are no incentives to dispense or prescribe expensive medicines but there is a system in place to encourage rational prescribing.