Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is true that Ireland has the highest incidence of cystic fibrosis of many countries, if not in the world, but there are those who suffer from cystic fibrosis in other countries also and the drug is not available in their public health systems either. The Minister for Health has written to their Ministers seeking joint co-operation to talk sense to the company. It is not I who says Vertex is ripping off the taxpayer. The clinical professor dealing with the issue says, from his experience, expertise and understanding of its impact on people's quality of life, the cost of the drug is not justified at €160,000 per patient per year. If we now hear based on the analysis of Deputy Billy Kelleher, whom I respect for his work, that the company is prepared to come back down from the €160,000 charge, Deputy Gerry Adams should believe me when I say the HSE and the Minister are more than willing to be flexible in the interests of those for whom the drug may well be of benefit.

The point made about the excessive charge levied by the company comes from a person who is in charge of the NCP and has pointed out that this is not value for money for the taxpayer. Given the charge, people who need and may benefit from the drug will not have it made available to them.

It is not only in Ireland that the company is operating in this way. It is taking the same approach in Australia, Canada, Scotland and England. The Minister, Deputy Harris, is going to Lisbon to talk to his fellow Ministers and work jointly with the manufacturer in order to bring realism to the pricing structure.

We will work with the Executive in Northern Ireland and Ministers for Health in other countries to whom the Minister, Deputy Harris, has written in the hope that the manufacturer will see sense and bring the drug to Ireland in order to relieve patients who can benefit.

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