Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 61 together.

The HSE has notified my Department that it has decided, following an assessment under the process set out in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, to fund the nine treatments referred to by the Deputy in the public health system. Its decision to fund each treatment followed an examination of all relevant information submitted by the applicant companies and took into account expert opinions and recommendations under the evaluation and advisory structures it has put in place. It is in the process of concluding the commercial arrangements and prescribing process for each treatment. I have informed it of the importance I place on the speedy resolution of this process in order that the treatments may be available at the earliest possible dates. As I told the Deputy yesterday, my understanding is that they will be available from 1 November. A number of them could be available before that date. I have stressed this to the HSE. We often criticise companies with good reason in this House, but in this case I thank the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and its member companies for working with us to try to make sure some of the drugs can be available in advance of that date.

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