Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important that the process is not bureaucratic and that is the reason the appeals process is online and done by a general practitioner. Applications are turned around very quickly. Hundreds of people are now accessing this patch above and beyond the post-shingles indication as a result of the appeals process. Deputy Kenny is right that the process needs to be compassionate and I want to see that happen. I am encouraged by the fact that the number of successful appeals has increased from 50% in recent days to over 60% today. People can try if they wish for political reasons to liken this to previous issues in the health service but is not at all comparable. This is a clinical decision. This is about medication that, if used incorrectly or long-term, can have adverse consequences. It is important that the medical experts in the HSE have a role in this area. They are doctors too.

I hope that the answer I gave here earlier did not give anyone the wrong impression. I am very concerned about the worry and upset I have heard from patients. I want them to know that I am listening and I want them to receive the compassion and treatment they need. The point I was making is that there is an application and appeals process in place that doctors can use to gain access to these patches for patients. Almost 700 patients in this country have gained access to these patches as a result of that process. I did not mean to be dismissive of people feeling that they had no option but to call a radio programme that is rightly highlighting an issue that is concerning people, but I have always been clear that when it comes to our citizens accessing medication, I want them to be able to do that through engaging with their doctors and in this case their doctor engaging with the medicines management programme.

I am listening. I believe those patients who need these patches can and must continue to receive them through the process that has been put in place. Doctors can make a case to the medical experts on behalf of their patients. These applications are being turned around quickly and, as I said, the success rate for these applications is increasing significantly because of the compassionate approach being taken. I want to see the HSE continue to take that compassionate approach so that anyone who needs these patches on the advice of their GP should be able to receive them.

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