Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I tabled this matter for discussion arising from a meeting I had last Thursday, together with my colleague, Deputy Jerry Buttimer, with two beautiful ladies who are multiple sclerosis sufferers and who were accompanied by Mr. Tom Curran, partner of the late Marie Fleming. The meeting was to discuss their concerns that the drug they are currently taking to alleviate the symptoms of MS, Fampyra, will no longer be available free of cost as a result of its manufacturer, Biogen, being refused access to the general medical services scheme by the Health Service Executive. Having tabled this matter for discussion yesterday, I learned this morning that Biogen has reapplied for inclusion in the GMS scheme, which is great news. I also welcome the indication last week by the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, of his openness to a new application by Biogen and his acknowledgment of the serious impact the refusal of its application is having on some of the 8,000 MS sufferers in this country.

People have experienced an incredibly positive impact on their condition from taking this drug and are now in fear that they will no longer have access to it in the coming weeks. Will the Minister give an assurance today that he will ask the HSE to fast-track Biogen's application for inclusion in the GMS scheme? In the meantime, it is my intention to ask the company publicly to continue to provide its product free of charge, for the duration of the application process, to the people on whom it is having such a positive impact. The two women I met last week - I am sure the Minister has heard similar testimony from other Deputies - spoke movingly of the impact the drug has had on their health. One of them is younger than me and has a young child. I have been unable to stop thinking of her description of being able, for the first time ever, to plait her daughter's hair. It can seem like a small and insignificant thing to people like me to be able to brush our children's hair every day and make their lunches, but to this woman it was an enormous achievement. Now she faces the prospect of once again being unable to do it because she cannot afford to pay for the drug. Moreover, without access to this medicine, she will be unable to work and will be entitled to a €785 per month disability benefit payment. She is young and full of vitality and wants to return to work.

I am asking for the Minister's commitment that he will request the HSE to fast-track this process. In the period until that process is completed, I will ask the company to continue to provide the drug to those people who are already availing of it under the GMS scheme.

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