Mr. Philip Watt:

That is part of the problem but we were advised that virtually no rare disease drug will get through the system as it stands because of the way the drug is measured. It is often done through the health technology assessment process which looks at one key outcome for a drug, but science has moved on. These new drugs are treating the underlying cause of the disease, not just the symptoms. The drug must be measured by several outcomes. There must be reform. I expect that Professor Barry would also acknowledge that these discussions are taking place at a European and international level.

The Deputy is absolutely correct about transparency around the second stage of the process, which involves senior people in the HSE and politicians, but in addition, the whole system needs to be looked at in a holistic way to see what reforms need to be introduced.