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Health Minister Simon Harris Leah Farrell

Simon Harris wants to bring down the cost of expensive drugs by buying in bulk

The minister says he is exploring options with other EU countries to bring the cost down.

HEALTH MINISTER SIMON Harris wants to bring down the cost of expensive drugs by buying in bulk.

In an exclusive interview with TheJournal.ie, the minister said he is “exploring options” with other EU countries to see if he can bring down the cost of drugs bought by the state.

“I am eager to do something with other European countries. I went out to Bratislava recently and met one of the European health ministers to explore how we could cooperate.”

As Ireland has a population of over 4 and a half million people and Europe with 400 million, he said there could be deals to be done.

Benefits to buying in bulk

“There have to be benefits with negotiating in bulk and buying in bulk. I am exploring those options.”

The issue of expensive drugs was highlighted recently when a number of patients with Cystic Fibrosis said a new drug called Orkambi would drastically improve their lives.

The drug is yet to approved by the Irish government after the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics deemed it too expensive at €160,000 per year per patient.

The body advises the government after it assesses the comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of drugs. It wants the makers of Orkambi to reduce the asking price down by five times.

Harris told patients that the NCPE’s decision was not final and that it was part of a process.

“The HSE is still in negotiations with the company called Vertex,” he said.  However, he said he could not be drawn on the issue as it could impact on the negotiations

“I think it is really important the politicians don’t say anything that could jeopardise the ability of the HSE to get the best outcome for CF patients in Ireland,” he said.

Often I find as minister, you have to bite your tongue because comments I could make about ‘I want this drug provided’ or ‘I want that drug provided’ immediately undermines the ability of the HSE to negotiate. It is important these decisions are made by clinicians.

The minister said situations involving patients and expensive drugs can be “extraordinarily difficult” but that he has to be disciplined with the budget.

Harris said government need to make sure it is providing drugs that clinicians say it should be providing.

“I mean, the last thing the people of Ireland want is me, as a layperson, with no medical training, making decisions on what drugs to provide or not to provide,” he said.

“New drugs that can extend people’s lives, give them a better quality of life, it’s great, but there is a finite amount of money there,” he said.

A day with Simon Harris: Cake, blood and what he really thinks of Enda>

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44 Comments
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    Mute Titus Groan
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    Nov 14th 2016, 6:41 AM

    How about bringing in generics? €5 for a pack of ibuprofen in Ireland, 30p in Britain, I’m fairly sure your pennies would add up pretty quickly, Mr Harris.

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    Mute Conor Power
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    Nov 14th 2016, 6:50 AM

    Anybody know why Tesco don’t sell their own brands meds here? Is it a drugs boards thing?

    97
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    Mute Ed Ucator
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    Nov 14th 2016, 7:12 AM

    @Conor Power: Likely because someone high up in pharmaceuticals that knows some of our politicians won’t make as much money.

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    Mute ktsiwot
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    Nov 14th 2016, 8:21 AM

    @Ed Ucator:
    Why has bulk buying not being done years ago, surely this is a most basic principle for any purchasing manger buying billions of goods.

    50
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    Mute Joseph Caulfield
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    Nov 14th 2016, 9:53 AM

    I was listening to the radio last week and there was an article on RTE1 about doctors and how they were getting hospitality from the pharma companies. Also some doctors did not declare what they got the readies for. As soon as the article finished RTE switched to ads and the very first ad was a long one from a big pharma company telling us what a great job they were doing and how much it cost to make the medicines.

    http://www.thejournal.ie/big-pharma-ireland-3068146-Nov2016/

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    Mute Titus Groan
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    Nov 14th 2016, 10:08 AM

    @Joseph Caulfield:

    Pharma aside for one minute, this whole proposal seems like basic political posturing. It’s a red herring because people know that branded drugs are the go to in Ireland, an incredible cost when they need not be. Additionally, bulk buying an incredibly obvious money saving strategy for anyone that has undertaken Junior Cert Business Studies. It isn’t commendable. In fact I don’t understand how it isn’t a thing already.

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    Mute Joseph Caulfield
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    Nov 14th 2016, 10:29 AM

    @Titus Groan:
    Maybe someone doesnt want bulk buying as it would reduce their bottom line.

    9
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    Mute Titus Groan
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    Nov 14th 2016, 10:31 AM

    @Joseph Caulfield:

    I’m just going to say it: I don’t think they really care about the patient, full stop.

    14
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    Mute Joseph Caulfield
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    Nov 14th 2016, 10:35 AM

    @Titus Groan:
    They are a business their duty is to the shareholder not to patients.

    5
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    Mute Titus Groan
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    Nov 14th 2016, 10:40 AM

    @Joseph Caulfield:

    I’m talking about government. They actually have a duty to serve the public. Pharma doesn’t.

    11
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    Mute Science of beer
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    Nov 14th 2016, 2:23 PM

    Chemists lobby

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    Mute Joseph Caulfield
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    Nov 14th 2016, 3:57 PM

    @Titus Groan:
    Sorry Titus I thought you meant pharma companies.

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    Mute Titus Groan
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    Nov 14th 2016, 4:59 PM

    No worries. Yes, I mean the incredibly incompetent government, not pharma companies. Pharma is what it is and unfortunately, it often serves as a patsy for inept government officials who can’t get the deal or finances right thus resulting in their (hopefully) perceived martyrdom and articles like this one. We are not amused.

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    Mute Joseph Caulfield
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    Nov 14th 2016, 8:57 PM

    @Titus Groan:
    The officials need clear directions from the Minister. There are too many layers between the Minister and decision making and that suits most Politicians just fine but perhaps the young Minister Harris is different.

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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Nov 14th 2016, 8:06 AM

    He wants to bring down the cost of medicines…he urges health insurers not to pass on a government created 10% increase in the levy…he’s hoping to change the food served in hospitals…instead of wanting and hoping, should he not be legislating and implementing ? Instead of asking, be telling?

    50
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    Mute Stephen murphy
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    Nov 14th 2016, 10:02 AM

    @Tony Skillington: No backbone, our politicians are owned by private interests and paid well by the taxpayer for it.

    14
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    Mute Lazlo Saint Pierre
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    Nov 14th 2016, 2:51 PM

    @Tony Skillington: Spot on Tony. I have been listening to successive health ministers for the last ten years going on about generics, bulk buying, drug bills being way too high blah blah blah. It’s all hot air that means feck all. Harris it would appear is the latest in a long line of health ministers to put on the hat and do the dance but doing absolutely nothing to help patients or indeed the taxpayer.

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    Mute joe o hare
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    Nov 14th 2016, 8:19 AM

    This lad is a genius, give him 2 gold stars in his copy book, to show his parents when he gets off the bus.

    39
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    Mute Tony Hartigan
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    Nov 14th 2016, 7:56 AM

    Health in general in this country is one massive RIPOFF that is hospitals, consultants, GP’S, medicines.

    38
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    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
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    Nov 14th 2016, 8:07 AM

    I know a Dr who will preform any operation for $129.95… went to Hollywood upstairs medical college.

    Seriously though, ever consider the economics of providing a modern healthcare system? None of those are cheap to provide and somewhere society has to pay those costs.

    10
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    Mute Stephen murphy
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    Nov 14th 2016, 10:03 AM

    @Tony Hartigan: Are essential medicines and treatments, VAT free and if not why not?

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    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
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    Nov 14th 2016, 7:08 AM

    A genetic screening for CF costs approx €200. We could screen the parents of each of the 60,000 children born in Ireland a year for €24 million.

    That’s 150 patient years of treatment with this named €160,000 a year drug. Roughly the lifespan 2-3 people.

    Money better spent on screening?

    36
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    Mute Ben McArthur
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    Nov 14th 2016, 8:38 AM

    @Drew TheChinaman :): Then what? Order them not to breed?

    23
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    Mute John Power
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    Nov 14th 2016, 10:09 AM

    we have a lot of the top pharma companies here in ireland giving them tax deals etc part of the deals should be reduced cost of produced drugs for the irish state

    11
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    Mute Joseph Caulfield
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    Nov 14th 2016, 10:31 AM

    @John Power:
    Im sure our masters in Brussles would have something to say about that logical suggestion.

    6
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    Mute John Scott
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    Nov 14th 2016, 11:12 AM

    Well do something about it Simon . This is nothing new r where have u been. More crap.

    9
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    Mute Adrian
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    Nov 14th 2016, 10:30 AM

    Either he thinks a lot more of us are gonna get sick or he doesn’t realise drugs have a use by date.

    7
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    Mute Upowthat Burke
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    Nov 14th 2016, 11:50 AM

    Legalise cannibis and watch our drug bill drop drasticly… as in countries and States that have done so….

    7
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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    Nov 14th 2016, 10:04 AM

    Doctors are throwing out prescriptions to patients like sweets, half the amount would be too much, and the Pharmacies are delighted.

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    Mute saoirse janneau
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    Nov 14th 2016, 5:12 PM

    Why is it that drugs manufactured in ireland and bought in ireland cost more than the same drug manufactured in ireland costs when it is exported to the canaries and bought there? This is a question Harris needs to ask first.

    5
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    Mute Adrian
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    Nov 14th 2016, 2:18 PM

    One of the first things any good businessman would think of is value. How long is harris in the job now? This just shows how inept our politicians are. Horrendously poor they are.

    4
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    Mute Nucky
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    Nov 14th 2016, 8:32 AM

    Mr Harris can you tell us all why when a pensioner with a medical card goes to the chemist that they are automatically given generics for €2.50 , and if they want the proper brand thats been proscribed on their prescription they have to pay extra on top of the €2.50 for have them .

    4
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    Mute cholly appleseed
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    Nov 14th 2016, 8:36 AM

    Because generics are cheaper and chemically identical. Why should the taxpayer pay for a brand

    38
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    Mute Wiggy Norbert
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    Nov 14th 2016, 8:50 AM

    Cholly I agree with Kurt, and most know what they are and how they work but I also know of several people/ pensioners who struggle with the generics because have been on a partcular brand all their lives.

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    Mute Nucky
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    Nov 14th 2016, 8:59 AM

    Pensioners were tax payer two cholly, they probably helped to pay for some of the benefits that you enjoy today , or do you just think that taxes collected should just go to the TD’s and the Boys.

    9
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    Mute lavbeer
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    Nov 14th 2016, 9:10 AM

    There is not enough tax being collected it would seem. If you brand pay for them. The prescription charge in the UK is 8 20 STG at the minute so doing all right here. Plus 40% of tge country have medical cards.

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    Mute William Mcgee
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    Nov 14th 2016, 9:34 AM

    @lavbeer: Uk prescription charge for the year £104 . Ireland 300euro.

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    Mute Joseph Caulfield
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    Nov 14th 2016, 10:33 AM

    @Nucky:
    You would need to demonstrate the benefits of the named medicine over the generic otherwise its a similar thing to demanding avonmore milk because you prefer the packaging to lidl milk.

    4
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    Mute lavbeer
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    Nov 14th 2016, 11:33 AM

    I seen that on a recent trip. 104 stg if you prepay a year in advance. Or 116 if you pay 3 months in advance. Whereas it is capped at 300 here. Might be less. Either way branded drugs on the state only if necessary

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    Mute Lesley Strahan
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    Nov 14th 2016, 12:13 PM

    That’s great but what about the 18 children aged 2 to 5 years who were told NO for Kalydeco. SHAME ON YOU!

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    Mute Lesley Strahan
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    Nov 14th 2016, 12:09 PM

    That’s great for the Orkambi people but what about the 18 children aged 2 to 5 years who were recently refused Kalydeco. Shame on you!!!

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    Mute Upowthat Burke
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    Nov 14th 2016, 2:13 PM

    Could this bulk buying be applied eu wide The eu as a whole negotiate the price with the pharma companies and here we go mega- bulk-mega discount think big get out of the bog

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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    Nov 14th 2016, 10:28 PM

    Just buy them any chemist in Spain

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    Mute Geoff Bateman
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    Nov 14th 2016, 7:48 PM

    Where have I heard this all before?…

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