Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Jul 1993

Vol. 433 No. 7

Written Answers. - Drug Availability.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

52 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the availability of the drug prolastin within the public health service which is used for the treatment of persons suffering from Alpha 1 Anti Trypsin Deficiency; if he will give an assurance that persons in need of this drug will not be denied access to the drug because of its cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The quality, safety and efficacy of this drug has not been established as yet. Prolastin does not have a product authorisation in this country. If it were to be supplied it would have to be on a "named-patient" basis. The cost per patient is £50,000 approximately per year and the cost of this therapy must be considered in the context of the many other competing demands for scarce resources throughout the health services.