Bi-lateral discussions are ongoing since a long time focusing on a new proposal, according to which, minimum price structure on drink’s retailers must be enforced.

To discuss the same issue, the Stormont Health Minister, Mr. Edwin Poots has recently met with his Scottish counterpart, Ms. Nicola Sturgeon also to have a discussion on the range of health care issues that are today affecting both the countries.

It was revealed by the reports that many more issues were part of the discussions during the meeting between the Ministers including topics like professional health service contracts, clinical excellence awards, emergency planning and care of military personnel.

Moreover, NI Health Minister Mr. Edwin Poots also showed keen interest to discuss Scotland's progress on minimum unit pricing for alcohol as according to him the issue is greatly concerned with both Northern Ireland and Scotland.

“Scotland is more advanced than Northern Ireland in relation to their proposals for minimum unit pricing for alcohol and I have been watching the progress of these proposals with interest”, he said. The cost of alcohol misuse to Northern Ireland could be as high as £670m, with £122m of that coming directly out of the health service budget”, he added further.