Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is well aware neither the Taoiseach nor the Government has the authority to instruct the HSE to approve any drug. The way drugs are reimbursed or not reimbursed is set out very clearly in legislation and it is a matter for the HSE to decide which drugs should be reimbursed and which are not. I understand in the case of Translarna, the HSE has come to the conclusion, based on medical and clinical advice, there are limitations to the efficacy of the drug and there is also a very high cost. If something is not very effective and also very expensive, in general the HSE will not fund it.

I am aware that Translarna is available in public health systems in approximately 20 or so other countries. I have sought a bit more information on the decision because, as the Deputy knows, it is often the case that we are among the first countries in the world to approve the use of new medicines. That was the case with Orkambi, for example, which is available here and not in Northern Ireland, for example. That is something I ask Deputy Adams to take up with his MLAs in the North.

See this speech in context