Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is if a recommendation is necessary. I do not want to pre-empt the decision of the HSE, but I hope to be able to give cystic fibrosis patients in this country a definitive answer on this situation in the next few weeks.

I will certainly look at the suggestion regarding Macedonia. We need all the suggestions we can get on this and if there is good practice, we will look at it. I would be happy to meet with the Institute of Community Health Nursing. The Senator raised the matter with me in the Seanad. On the issue of Respreeza, the director general has committed to coming back to the committee with an update. My understanding is that the drugs group, which is a group of clinicians, did not recommend reimbursement, but we will come back with more detail to see where we are at there. I appeal to the drugs company in relation to those patients who are still on the drug. There is no need in the wide earthly world to end access to the drug for those patients. The two issues should be completely decoupled.

Senator Dolan asked about the FACS forum. It would be appropriate for me to ask the HPRA to meet the FACS forum. I have no difficulty in meeting with the forum also, but the other meeting might happen in advance.

Some of the issues Senator Dolan raised, specifically regarding labelling, warnings and patient information, relate to the Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA. I will ask the HPRA to meet with the FACS Forum. Perhaps the Senator will correspond with me about that and I will ensure-----