Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 December 2022
91. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the efforts to ensure that the 35 children with cystic fibrosis who have been excluded from the Katrio drug therapy treatment will have access to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61227/22]
View answer103. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has made Kaftrio available to all adults and children who need the treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61300/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 103 together.
Kaftrio has been a life changing drug for Cystic Fibrosis sufferers, and I want to see it made available to everyone who needs it. This Government wants to ensure greater access to new and innovative medicines and has allocated significant additional funding for new medicines in recent Budgets. Since the beginning of 2021, 99 new medicines, or expanded uses of existing medicines, have been funded. This has included 27 for the treatment of rare diseases, including Cystic Fibrosis.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
I am grateful to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) for meeting with me recently, and outlining the concerns of the Cystic Fibrosis community. We discussed the recent statement from the Consultants providing care for these children, with all parties aligning in the view that the approach taken by the manufacturer, Vertex, is unfair to these children. I reassured CFI of the urgency with which the Government and the HSE are approaching the current situation.
I have been advised by the HSE that engagement with Vertex Pharmaceuticals is ongoing, which I hope can be quickly brought to a satisfactory conclusion for everyone.
