Statement from the President of IPHA, David Gallagher in response to
Dáil commentary on medicines
The IPHA
rejects remarks made in the Dail yesterday in relation to medicine
availability, cost and access.
In relation to new medicines, there is already a
process in place by the Department of Health for evaluating new medicines and
whether they should be reimbursed. However, since late last year, this process
has been ignored and medicines that are licensed, and then recommended as
cost-effective, are not being made available. This has given rise to an
inequitable situation where some illnesses and some patient groups are being
prioritised above others. All patients, and their health needs, should be
treated fairly. We support evaluating the safety, efficacy and
cost-effectiveness of medicines but we are concerned that, as referenced in the
Dáil, the Department of Health is looking at a new process without consulting
any industry group and this is likely to result in further delays in providing
advanced medicines to patients.
Secondly, we understand the budgetary constraints
facing the government and the Department of Health. We have a strong
track record in delivering savings on medicines price - €600 million has been
provided in recent years. Furthermore, the industry acknowledges that
additional savings are required and is prepared to negotiate so as to ensure
new medicines can be made available.
We are also concerned that the proposed Health Bill
appears to reach far beyond details of generic reference pricing and
substitution and seems to extend more generally to the provision of
medicines. We believe in- depth consultation with industry is critical to
ensure there is no further hindrance to patient access to advanced
therapies.
The prices charged by pharmaceutical companies for medicines in Ireland is
broadly in-line with prices charged across Europe and are set with reference to
other European markets. There are differences in costs in Ireland to the
state and the public, but this is not as a result of the prices set by
pharmaceutical companies. Similar to the Department of Health, we want to
ensure the supply of medicines is sustainable. In reference to the major
rise in medicines costs – the last decade saw a significant increase in all
healthcare spending coming off a period of cutbacks in the 1980s. In
relation to increasing medicine expenditure, there are many factors underlying
this such as an expanding population, an ageing population and most
significantly – major health improvements where illnesses and diseases that
were under-diagnosed are now better managed, resulting in better health and
reductions in illness and deaths. Expenditure on medicines has fallen in
2010 and 2011 as a direct result of savings delivered by pharmaceutical
companies to the state and is forecast to fall further in 2012 even with
increasing consumption.
Ends
Thursday, 17 May 2012
About IPHA
The Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare
Association (IPHA) represents the international research-based pharmaceutical
industry in Ireland. Its members include both manufacturers of prescription
medicines and non-prescription or consumer health care medicines as well as companies
that supply vaccines given to the Irish population.
Today people in Ireland live longer,
healthier and more active lives, in part, due to medical progress and
pharmaceutical and vaccines research and development. Not only is the
pharmaceutical industry critical to the health of the nation, it plays a
critical and substantial role in the Irish economy.
For information call, 087 2870891