Medicinal Products

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022

Tuesday, 14 June 2022

Questions (1443, 1803, 1905, 1912, 1927)

Bríd Smith

Question:

1443. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to 35 children with cystic fibrosis who are being denied access to the life-changing drug Kaftrio due to a new pricing dispute between an organisation (details supplied) and the HSE; his views on the fact that those with cystic fibrosis over the age of 12 years have access to the drug and it was also made available to 140 other children aged 6 to 11 years in May 2022 while 35 children in this age bracket have been excluded; if he will take immediate steps to include these children by providing access to the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29119/22]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1803. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the position regarding Kaftrio; if he will provide an update on the engagements between a supplier and the HSE; and if he will provide Kaftrio via another source in the interim for persons that urgently require it. [30392/22]

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

1905. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the approval of the Vertex drug for children with cystic fibrosis who are being excluded from receiving this life changing drug at the moment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30756/22]

Réada Cronin

Question:

1912. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the access to and availability of Kaftrio which has a life-changing impact on children living with cystic fibrosis and is anxiously awaited by the children and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30812/22]

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

1927. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the issuing of Kaftrio to children currently excluded from using the treatment; the reason that it was decided that the HSE would engage with each case on an individual basis; the amount of additional time this will add to the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30907/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1443, 1803, 1905, 1912 and 1927 together.

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.