Matt Shanahan on drug pricing failures and Waterford Cat Lab delays
Matt Shanahan challenged the minister over national drug reimbursement procedures and delays to the Waterford Cat Lab, saying the current process is failing patients and the state. He cited blocked cost-saving drug approvals and raised concerns about postponed diagnostic angiograms at University Hospital Waterford.
Drug reimbursement concerns
Matt Shanahan noted the programme for government commitment to establish a national medicines agency to set fair prices for drug reimbursement and said the current process "is not working." He said he was aware of applications for drug reimbursement that would save the state millions being held up because suppliers demand headline discounts of up to 50%, and he criticised the lack of cost-benefit analysis on future patient impact.
Waterford Cat Lab procurement timeline
Shanahan pressed why a four-month procurement process was being proposed for the Waterford Cat Lab when funding has been ring-fenced for almost 18 months. He said the project should have started earlier and sought clarification about the planned tender and procurement steps for the critically important regional facility.
Diagnostic angiogram activity and delays
He challenged an assertion from the Taoiseach that diagnostic angiogram activity was taking place under an SLA with Whitfield Hospital, saying "that is not the case." Shanahan said diagnostic angiograms at University Hospital Waterford have been delayed since February, affecting an estimated 30 angiograms a week, and asked the government to review the situation.
Minister's response and status update
The minister acknowledged COVID-19-related delays but said the project is intended to go to tender. The HSE advised funding was allocated in the 2019 capital plan; a fire certificate was granted in June; the Disability Act matter was granted in April; contract documentation preparation has commenced; and contract selection is complete subject to the cooling-off period. The minister described the four-month procurement window as frustrating but said it aims to avoid legal challenge and pledged to seek expedition where possible.
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Minister, in the programme for government, you have outlined that you wish to establish a national medicines agency to set a fair price for drug reimbursement. I can tell you this process is not working, Minister. I am aware of applications for drug reimbursement which would save the state millions which are not being approved because headline discounts of up to 50 per cent are required, with no cost-benefit analysis being conducted on how it might impact patients in the future. So I would ask your government to look at that. You also mentioned in the programme the commitment to the Waterford Cat Lab, and I asked the Taoiseach yesterday why are we talking about a four-month procurement process to approve an approval? The money has been ring-fenced for almost 18 months now, and yet we are talking about entering a four-month procurement process on a project that should have started. And could I also confirm yesterday from the House that the Taoiseach advised that there was diagnostic angiogram activity going on through an SLA in Waterford with the Whitfield Hospital. That is not the case. So we have been delaying diagnostic angiograms at UHW now since February, 30 angiograms a week, and I would ask that the government could review this, please. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Just on the Waterford Cat Lab, which I know is critically important for the whole region, I understand that it was unfortunate that there were delays due to COVID-19, but it is intended that the project will now go to tender. The HFE advised funding was allocated in the 2019 capital plan, as you said. The fire certificate was granted in June this year. The Disability Act on the surface was granted in April this year. The preparation of contract documentation has commenced and the contract selection is complete, subject to cooling-off period. As to why that four-month period is deeply frustrating in our state, it does. Unfortunately, I have seen it in so many different areas, and I suppose the only best honest answer is we do procurement to the .t proper so that there is never any question and that it is safe from any legal challenge. But we will certainly, and I'm sure you will not be alone among the deputies from Waterford and this House in asking that it would be expedited. And I will certainly pass that on and try and make sure that that is shortened as best we can. Thank you, Mr. Minister. We have three... Thank you, Mr. Minister. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Minister Thank you, Mr. Minister. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Before we
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