Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 3

Written Answers. - Cancer Treatment Services.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

235 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has undertaken a review of the cost of medical oncology drugs following reports that he will face significant additional costs to implement services promised under the national cancer strategy; and if he will make a statement on reports that cancer sufferers are being asked to pay up to £1,000 for treatment with newly formulated drugs. [22157/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I am conscious of the increasing costs of drugs for cancer treatments and my Department is monitoring the situation closely. Agencies have been asked to keep my Department informed of the extent of any increased costs being experienced under this heading and to give full details of where these are arising.

To date I have made additional funding available during 1999 in respect of the drug costs relating to certain new posts in consultant medical oncology. I will examine the need for further extra funding for agencies in this regard in the context of the Estimates process for 2000 and subsequent years.

My Department is not aware of any reports that public cancer patients are being asked to pay for cancer treatment or drugs associated with their treatment.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

236 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a recent major report prepared by the national cancer forum; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the contents of the report. [22158/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The National Cancer Forum recently submitted a report to me concerning progress on the implementation of the national cancer strategy during 1998 and 1999.

The report is very comprehensive and clearly sets out what has been achieved in the area of the development of the cancer services in this country since dedicated funding has been channelled into this area. The main elements of the report focus on the following areas: new consultant appointments under the national cancer strategy; the national breast screening programme; cervical/ cytology services; the pilot programme in cervical screening, Mid-Western Health Board; the National Cancer Registry Board; the review of counselling services and the National Cancer Forum.

The report also indicates the level of future funding required for the carry over costs of new developments initiated to date. Additional requirements for areas of cancer services such as radiotherapy, surgical cancer services, symptomatic breast cancer services, development of cancer nursing and education, further developments in palliative care and counselling services are also mentioned in this report. I am considering these areas in the context of the Estimates for 2000.

I am arranging for a copy of the report to be given to the Deputy.