Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 April 2019
343. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the reason no national pricing agreement exists with the representative body for the generics industry here; when the last agreement expired; his plans to negotiate a new agreement with the industry to drive a more competitive medicine market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15302/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 01 November 2012, a Framework Agreement was signed between the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland and the Department of Health and the Health Services Executive on the supply terms, conditions and prices of generic medicines. The duration of this agreement was three years from the 01 November 2012.
The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 Act provided for the introduction of a system of generic substitution and reference pricing, which determines the price for generic medicines.
The Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines between the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and the Department of Health, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Health Service Executive commenced on 01 August 2016 and shall continue in force until 31 July 2020. The Framework Agreement provides a process for reference pricing on the introduction of interchangeable medicines.
I am advised that preparatory work for negotiations on the next Framework Agreement will commence in the coming months in my Department and in that regard relevant stakeholders will be consulted.
