Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:49. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the company supplying Lariam and other anti-malaria drugs to the Army; and the specifics of the supply contract. [31875/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 July 2019
Ceisteanna (49)
Freagraí scríofa
The Defence Forces do not have a contract in place with any one manufacturer or wholesaler to supply Lariam. The Defence Forces go to market on each occasion that the product is prescribed and sources it from a supplier that is authorised within the European Economic Area (EEA). This year, the Defence Forces have purchased Lariam from both Uniphar Wholesale and Ascot Pharma.
The Defence Forces procure other anti-malarial drugs on a demand basis, using the four-year Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines to the Public Health Services. This agreement is between the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), the Department of Health, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the HSE. These medications are supplied by either one of the two main authorised Irish wholesalers, namely Uniphar or United Drug.