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

-----in terms of not accepting the 40% reduction in hospitalisation and the significant other benefits that flow. This is beginning to move and people are beginning to acknowledge it is an effective drug. The real issue comes down to price. We must put in context that Governments do not make drugs, pharmaceutical companies do.

The drugs in question are called "orphan" drugs because they are developed to deal with rare diseases but, for decades, big pharmaceutical companies have not invested in developing orphan drugs for rare diseases. Governments were shy on that front as well and there were numerous attempts at European level to get critical mass behind the idea of developing drugs for rare diseases. The cystic fibrosis population who might benefit from Orkambi is approximately 500 patients, with 3,000 in the UK, so it is difficult to make back the investment in research and that has to be balanced in the assessment of how to go about this.

In July the Minister announced drug savings of up to €750 million. To cut to the chase, I get the sense that there has not actually been intensive negotiations on this. Deputy Kelleher has had his own meetings and his own discussions with people and one has the sense that it is not being dealt with at a high enough level. There has been too much spinning and too much leaking, which have caused hurt and devastation to the cystic fibrosis population, and it is time for the bad blood to end. The Taoiseach has to get a grip on this and on the Minister to make sure there is intensive engagement between the company and the authorities. If that necessitates international mediation so be it, but something has to be done to break the logjam, the Mexican stand-off that is the current state of play.

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