Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is not the case that delay is the order of the day here. Let me repeat what the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, NCPE, stated when it conducted its health technology assessment. It stated that "In view of the very high drug acquisition cost, the significant budget impact, the absence of long term clinical data and the fact that the company has failed to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of ivacaftor", it was not willing to assess it. There was a very rapid review submission on the drug submitted on 13 August 2012. That rapid review was completed on 22 August 2012 - no delay there. A full pharmacoenomic assessment was advised. Following submission of that dossier, the NCPE group met the manufacturer on 28 November 2012 to discuss the submission and request additional information. That was received on 11 December and I have given the Deputy the result of its assessment. It states that the evaluation of the economic dossier submitted by the company estimated the annual cost at €234,804 per patient. It also estimates that 113 to 120 patients could benefit from the drug. Based on those figures, the annual budget impact would range from €23.65 million to €28.176 million. No more than anybody in here, one cannot put a price on a life-----

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