Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
792. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide a detailed breakdown of the Budget 2026 allocation of €217 million to primary care reimbursement services medicines, beyond the €30 million allocation for new medicines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56763/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA record of over €3 billion, around €1 in every 8 of public funding spent on health, is now being spent on medicines.
The State has made €158 million available for new drugs between 2021 and 2025. To date, this has allowed the HSE to approve 238 new drugs and new uses for existing medicines, including 97 medicines for treating cancer and 64 orphan drugs to treat rare diseases.
Budget 2026 allocated €217 million in funding for medicines, including €30m allocated to new drugs funding.
This funding will be deployed in the most efficient way possible to meet patient needs in 2026. Given the demand-led nature of medicines utilisation it is not possible to provide a detailed breakdown by allocation for 2026.
