MS drug access
Michael Healy-Rae urged the Government to make the MS drug ocrelizumab available more quickly, noting Ireland’s slow access to new medicines. The Taoiseach explained the formal drug-approval process and said he would bring the Deputy’s concerns to the Minister for Health.
I want to speak on behalf of multiple sclerosis, MS, sufferers from Kerry and throughout the country. It is a fact that Irish patients have the slowest access to new medicines in western Europe. Ocrelizumab is a new treatment available for MS sufferers. The MS Society recently met with the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris. I am asking the Government to look seriously at this drug, and other drugs for MS suffers in Ireland, and to please help make it available for them in order that they can have a better quality of life. Last night I met people who are suffering from MS. This drug would improve their lives greatly. I sincerely ask the Taoiseach, the Minister for Health and the Government to look at this request in a sympathetic way.
Comment on this
A process exists by which new drugs are approved in Ireland. It is a process that was set out in an Act of the Oireachtas. It does not involve a Government or ministerial decision, but rather an analysis by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics and a final decision by the HSE national drugs committee. I will certainly let the Minister for Health know that Deputy Michael Healy-Rae has raised the matter again and will relay his concerns on the matter.