Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will try to be as brief as possible. I thank the witnesses for their comprehensive updates which I found very useful.

I refer to the 704 people awaiting alternative care arrangements. I welcome the dedicated fund of €25 million, but we have an ageing population and many people await home care packages. The fair deal scheme waiting time in my area has increased to 16 weeks. I hope that will be examined carefully when the €25 million fund is being allocated.

I posed a question with regard to the orthopaedic surgeries, which Deputy Kelleher mentioned earlier. I noted in the reply that there was a significant reduction in so-called long waiters, at 59%. The reply also refers to a 15% reduction in the number of patients waiting more than 12 months. I do not know of anyone who has been waiting less than 12 months. I have received letters from people stating that there is a two and a half year waiting list. People tell me that from the time they go to their general practitioner, get an outpatient appointment and go on a waiting list to receive an appointment, it can take up to four years.

Question 13 concerned the drug Daxas. Constituents have told me it had been withdrawn under the medical card scheme but the reply, which I am sure is 100% correct, states it was never under the medical card scheme. If I understand correctly, the manufacturers were liaising with the pharmacies and making it available free of charge. Is that correct? I understanding they were dispensing it free of charge over the counter but they have now withdrawn it. It was mentioned that hospital stays have reduced for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, and emphysema, but Daxas is a drug that helps people with emphysema and COPD. One person I spoke to had an average of four hospital stays per year, but since he went on this drug three years ago he has not been in hospital. Another person told me they were in hospital on numerous occasions, with average stays of a couple of weeks, but this drug has resulted in them not needing to be admitted to hospital. Apparently, there is no generic substitute for Daxas. We are dealing with people on very low incomes. They can purchase it, but one man told me it cost him more than €60. Another man told me it cost €80. Results of clinical trials are expected later this year, but I would like the Minister to investigate that and revert to me on it because I do not believe he is aware of the answer I received on it.