Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ireland has one of the most severe strains of cystic fibrosis in the world and the highest incidences per head of population at three times the rate in the United States and the rest of the European Union. In that context, Ireland should be at the forefront of new technologies, research and strategies to deal with the condition. A ground-breaking new drug has arrived on the market. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States as far back as July and has also been approved by the European Union. It is called Orkambi and has been described as a game changer in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. It can lengthen life, will improve quality of life and effectively reduce the number of hospital admissions for cystic fibrosis patients by 40%. It would benefit about 60% of cystic fibrosis patients in Ireland as it is very effective in treating the most common cystic fibrosis gene alteration in Ireland - delta-F508. It is a dramatic and game changing drug. However, the response of the authorities in the health service plan and that of the Government is that no funding will be made available in 2016 to provide the drug for cystic fibrosis patients. The HSE is clear that if the Government wants to fund it, it will have to provide it with additional money. We note that in the health service plan there is to be no increase in the high-tech fund in 2016. The plan talks about it being dependent on the HSE in containing new drug approvals. The entire emphasis is on containing rather than looking for an opportunity to dramatically change the quality of life of people with cystic fibrosis. Will the Government provide the necessary funding to ensure the 60% of cystic fibrosis patients who would benefit from the use of Orkambi will be able to benefit from it during the course of the next few months?

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