Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
1549. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when cancer patients can expect to be able to receive ipilimumab; the reasons for the further delay in its provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37089/12]
View answerFrom 3 May, 2012 Ipilimumab has been available to all eligible patients with progressive melanoma treated in public hospitals. There have been no reported delays in relation to its provision.
The Director of the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is aware that some private insurers were in ongoing negotiations with the manufacturers to agree reimbursement of Ipilimumab for patients treated in private hospitals. As the NCCP does not have responsibility for patients treated in private hospitals any query in relation to the provision of this drug, in the private hospital setting, should be addressed directly with the manufacturers.
