Long-Term Illness Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2016

Tuesday, 22 March 2016

Questions (301)

Seán Kyne

Question:

301. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the reason a drug (details supplied) is not approved under the long-term illness scheme for multiple sclerosis sufferers; if the primary care reimbursement section of the Health Service Executive is examining this drug; if he accepts that this drug works very well for some multiple sclerosis sufferers with no resultant relapses for patients using it; and if he will seek a meeting with relevant persons within the Health Service Executive to discuss this drug. [4809/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Naltrexone reverses the effects of opioids and is used primarily in the management of alcohol dependence and opioid dependence.

Under European and Irish legislation, before a medicine can be placed on the Irish market, the manufacturer has to seek authorisation from the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA) or in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency.

There is no product currently authorised by the HPRA in Ireland at a range that would be considered as low-dose Naltrexone.