Medicinal Products Prices

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 November 2016

Wednesday, 16 November 2016

Ceisteanna (178)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

178. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if a rebate scheme formed part of the previous medicine pricing agreement between his Department and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, which applied up to November 2015; if so, the way in which this rebate scheme was applied and operated; the total revenues that were generated by these rebates over the lifetime of the agreement; the amounts raised during each year of the agreement; the way in which these moneys were collected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35286/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under Clause 9 of the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines there is a rebate of 4% of the value of all medicines dispensed in the GMS and community drugs schemes. No rebate was payable in respect of those medicines covered by Clause 6 'Patent Expired Medicines' of that Agreement.

A full copy of the Agreement is available at: https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/Who/cpu/IPHA_Agreement_2012.pdf.

As the HSE was responsible for the implementation of that Agreement, I have asked them to reply directly to the Deputy on the other matters he has raised.