Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a very personal issue and I take fully on board what the Deputy has said in respect of the person involved and the letters written. I am dealing with a case that came to my attention where someone has gone to the United States for a particular form of treatment. I do not accept that the Minister, the HSE or the Government are not aware of the importance or sensitivity of this. The cost is €400,000 per annum but we cannot put a price on a life. The HSE has been engaged with Alexion Pharmaceuticals, the company that produces the drug here. I am disappointed that it has not been able to reach a conclusion that the company will make the drug available at a cheaper cost and a lower price for people who need it in Ireland. That is regrettable and I am sorry that this is causing distress to this patient and others, who are small in number but very sensitive and must put up with this scale of challenge. It is important to stress that the engagement of the HSE with Alexion Pharmaceuticals is designed to bring about a situation where the drug can be available at a more reasonable cost and therefore be able to treat more people. Deputy Martin is well aware of the scale of the challenge facing the health services.

The HSE will continue to engage with a pharmaceutical company, urging it to provide the drug at a more reasonable cost. I do not know the country to which the Deputy referred or whether the same drug is required. This is an indication of why we must move towards universal health insurance, where access to medicine and the attention required can be available to people as they need it.

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