Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I raised this issue with the Taoiseach last week. I am raising it again to make a point about the high cost of medicines in this country. I think the Taoiseach is aware of the case of a lady called Charlotte Connolly from his time as Minister for Health a few years ago. Charlotte suffers from Degos disease, which is extremely rare. She is the only person with it in Ireland at the moment. I spoke to her husband Declan approximately an hour ago. He is in a very precarious position as Charlotte's husband. He wants to see the best for Charlotte, who was diagnosed with this illness three and a half years ago. Somebody who is diagnosed with Degos disease usually has a four-year limitation on his or her lifespan. Declan is extremely worried about his situation.

The drug Charlotte is trying to access is called Soliris, made in Blanchardstown by Alexion, and it costs €400,000 per year, which is extraordinary. There was also a lot of publicity around Orkambi. Does the health committee review the price of drugs in this country? They are exorbitant. When the drugs are made in Ireland, those prices seem to be extortionate.

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