Mr. Dean Sullivan:

The arrangement was only introduced last September so we have moved from a position where many people were receiving this intervention inappropriately to one where we have cut the annual spend of €36 million to €4.5 million, significantly aiming resources at those individuals who are truly going to benefit from this and ensuring that other individuals have access to other appropriate interventions that are relevant to their needs. We will continue to monitor that as arrangements go forward. There are no plans for a formal evaluation but I can follow up with colleagues to seek additional assurance on that.

Translarna came across my desk in the North as well. It is a very expensive drug which was assessed for cost-effectiveness in Ireland. A conclusion was reached that it was not cost-effective in terms of the benefit that it offered patients.