Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 June 2016
137. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the full year savings of immediately setting the ex-factory price for new pharmaceuticals, subject to patent protection, at the price in the lowest priced comparator member state of the European Union. [15121/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra138. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the full year savings that would be realised by immediately introducing generic substitutions for the 60 most commonly used off-patent medications, excluding anti-epileptic drugs, based on reference pricing at 70% below the branded equivalent, by cost and by volume. [15122/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra139. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the full year savings that would be realised from sourcing the 20 most expensive and the 20 most common on-patent pharmaceuticals from the European Union member state with the lowest cost for the drug, by parallel import. [15123/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 137 to 139, inclusive, together.
It is not feasible to provide a robust estimate of savings from a reduction in the price of branded medicines to the lowest European Union level, as the price of each dosage form and strength would need to be assessed and compared with pricing data from all of the other member states. In addition, the HSE must consider continuity and security of supply in setting prices. Accordingly, the lowest EU price of an individual product may not always represent the best pricing point for Irish patients.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore the remaining matters have been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you.
If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up these matters with them.
