Irish Statutory Instruments

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 21st June, 2013.

I, JAMES REILLY, Minister for Health, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 1 (3) of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 (No. 14 of 2013), hereby order as follows:

1. This Order may be cited as the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 (Commencement) Order 2013.

2. The 24th day of June 2013 is appointed as the day on which the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 (No. 14 of 2013), other than section 36, shall come into operation.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

19 June 2013.

JAMES REILLY,

Minister for Health.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

This Order brings the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 into operation, with the exception of Section 36 which will be commenced later. This Act provides for the introduction of a system of generic substitution and reference pricing which enables patients to opt for lower cost interchangeable (i.e. generic) medicines. It also establishes a list of prescribed items which may be supplied or reimbursed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to patients under the General Medical Services (GMS) and community drug schemes, and establishes mechanisms for setting the prices of those items where they are so supplied.