Mr. Tony O'Brien:

In regard to Soliris, or eculizumab, it was the HSE’s objective from the outset to secure a basis upon which the additional patients who needed that drug could have access to it. The purpose of the process was to try to reduce the cost of the drug. The statement I issued could not reasonably be interpreted in any sense as being critical of the patients. How it is reported may affect how it is interpreted. How it is written does not lend itself to that interpretation. All the adjectives were directed at the drug company, not the patients. The reason given for the decision was to ensure that patients were not caught in the crossfire of the disagreement between Alexion and the health service.