Kaftrio access for children
Deputy Carey sought a meeting and faster access for 35 children waiting for Kaftrio under a new scheme. The Minister said there was no delay, the new application had only recently arrived, and the HSE was processing it through the normal assessment route.
Kaftrio is a miracle drug used for the treatment of cystic fibrosis patients. It was approved by the European Medicines Agency, EMA, in January. Thankfully, 140 children in Ireland are now using it. A further cohort of 35 children have been locked out of the scheme relating to the drug and are anxiously trying to gain admission. Cystic Fibrosis Ireland has sought a meeting with the Minister for Health. I hope he will agree to that meeting to explain the delay and outline what will be done to ensure that this cohort of 35 children get access to Kaftrio.
Comment on this
I am very familiar with this issue. We need to get our language right here. There has been no delay and no one has been locked out of anything. It is a new use for the drug. It was approved by the EMA in January. An application came in for the first group of children some time ago. That was processed and approved very quickly by the HSE. The application in respect of the new group of children the Deputy mentioned only came into the HSE six weeks ago. It is going through exactly the same process. The HSE needs to look at the health technology assessment and other things. It did the first assessment very quickly. I have no reason to think it will be otherwise for this one. We are now waiting to hear what recommendation comes from the HSE. The Deputy can rest assured that it is being watched very carefully by the Department.
Comment on this
Will the Minister meet representatives of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland?
Comment on this
I met them quite recently in other contexts.