Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 22 November 2018

Public Accounts Committee

2017 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 15: Hepatitis C Treatment in Ireland
Management of Medical Negligence

9:00 am

Photo of Kate O'ConnellKate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand that and the reason for the issue when the report came out before the drug was licensed, but all the same principles of education and prevention still exist. I do not buy the idea that the report is out-of-date, in the sense that it was published before the drug was available, because one could have layered the treatment on top of the existing content and added it as another page. It seems strange that for something that is costing so much money - I do not know the cost of a hospital admission for somebody who is not treated, but I imagine it is significant - not to treat an individual who will end up in an acute hospital with cirrhosis, liver cancer or whatever complications one might have from untreated hepatitis. It seems great value for money, even if it costs between €15,000 to €20,000 per patient because of the impact of treatment on the patient versus hospitalisation.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.