Michael Creed
Question:85 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health when he intends to make beta interferon available on medical cards for multiple sclerosis patients. [5148/95]
Written Answers. - Multiple Sclerosis Patients.
Michael Creed
Question:86 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health if any health board is presently making beta interferon available on the medical card to multiple sclerosis patients. [5150/95]
Michael Creed
Question:87 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost for a multiple sclerosis patient to be treated with beta interferon. [5151/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 86 and 87 together.
Medicinal products included in the general medical services — GMS — scheme must conform to certain published criteria. A key criteria is that the product must be the subject of a current product authorisation granted by the Minister for Health. The granting of such an authorisation indicates that the National Drugs Advisory Board is satisfied as to the quality, safety and efficacy of the product concerned.
The position in relation to the drug referred to by the Deputy is that it has not yet received such an authorisation. In the circumstances, therefore, its inclusion on the GMS scheme cannot be considered until such time as an application for a product authorisation has been made and granted.
As the product does not have a product authorisation, and cannot, therefore, be marketed on the Irish market there is no commercial price available. Usage will vary from patient to patient, however, I understand from some of the companies concerned that the ingredients cost of the drug for a single patient could vary from £800 — £1,500 per month.