Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Minister of State did not address the issue of the availability of tysabri in all HSE areas. Will she, please, do so? Will she reiterate and confirm the position outlined by the Minister in response to Deputy Joan Collin's question on women testing positive for hepatitis C? This is very important. The women concerned have a statutory entitlement under the terms of the 1996 Act.

It is not entirely a question of cost, but it is most certainly is a question of availability. The United States Senate has introduced legislation to address what it is referred to as "price gouging" by certain pharmaceutical companies which are driving up the price by making fewer drugs available than are demanded. Has the Minister of State any concerns that such practices are taking place in this jurisdiction or in supply lines to our market?

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