The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill returned to the Dail on Wednesday for the Report stage. The debate focused almost entirely on the issues surrounding generic substitution of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).
Epilepsy Ireland has suggested a number of amendments which were tabled by the Opposition and which would, if accepted offer protection to people with epilepsy from the perils of AEDs being switched from a brand to a generic or from one generic to another.
As has been pointed out on a number of occasions, AEDs cannot be as safely substituted as most other types of medications. This has been highlighted in research and backed up by international practice and by testimony from leading Irish epilepsy experts and from Epilepsy Ireland.
On Wednesday, passionate arguments in favour of these amendments were made by Deputies Catherine Murphy, Billy Kelleher, Caoimhghin O Caoilain, Roisin Shortall and Denis Naughten.
However Minister White rejected the calls for amendments and the first three amendments were rejected by a vote of the House.
- Amendment 1, proposing a definition of "non-interchangeable medicinal products" was defeated by 77 votes to 46.
- Amendments 2 and 3, which would require the Irish Medicines Board to establish and publish a list of drugs which should not be regarded as interchangeable was defeated by 80 votes to 45.
The debate was adjourned before any further amendments could be voted upon. The debate is expected to resume shortly.
Epilepsy Ireland is very disappointed that our efforts to protect the health and wellbeing of those with epilepsy are not being listened to by the Minister, who continues to defy all calls for protective amendments in favour of inherently trusting the Irish Medicines Board to make the right decisions and in the mistaken belief that the Bill already offers adequate reassurances.
A summary of the arguments made by each Deputy and the Minister's counter-arguments can be downloaded here. The full debate can be read at the Oireachtas website beginning at this page.
Many of the speakers referred to the large numbers of emails, letters and calls they had taken from people with epilepsy in recent months, concerned with this Bill. Your voice makes a difference and you can still make it heard by contacting your local TDs and urging them to vote in favour of the amendments that will be presented when the Report Stage returns. Click here to send your TDs an email.