Vol. 455 No. 8
88 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty that patients have in procuring a beta-interferon injection where it has been prescribed by a consultant in a tertiary referral hospital; if he will ensure that these patients are facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12916/95]
Limerick East): Beta-interferon is a new drug which has been developed for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. The drug has not yet received a product authorisation and has, therefore, only been made available through the hospital system, under the control of a specialist, in a setting which has the necessary facilities to diagnose and monitor the patient and to ensure that there are no adverse reactions or side effects.
It is my intention that beta-interferon should be available to individual patients where it is considered appropriate and is prescribed by the relevant specialists. In this context, my Department has already been in contact with the main tertiary referral centres concerning this matter. In addition, I understand that the practice has arisen whereby this drug is prescribed by a consultant in a tertiary referral hospital and administered elsewhere under the supervision of another hospital consultant. Where such an arrangement exists, my Department will be discussing the implications for financing this treatment with the agencies concerned.
