Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let me give the House the information that I have. I certainly stand open to questions.

Following detailed consideration of an application from the manufacturer, Biogen, the HSE leadership team made the decision that it was unable to recommend reimbursement of Spinraza at the price quoted on 12 February. On Thursday last, 21 February, the HSE wrote to the company informing it that the executive proposed to refuse reimbursement at the current price offering but had left the door open for the company to come back with a more realistic offering. Under the terms of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, as I am sure Deputy Calleary will be aware, the company has 28 days to come back to the HSE with a proposal.

The Government is keen to see agreement reached here. We want the HSE to work proactively with the company so that we can find a middle ground position that the company can accept in terms of pricing and that the HSE can recommend to the Government, which can allow this drug to be made available. That is where we are. The HSE has not recommended that there should not be reimbursement for Spinraza. It has made a recommendation that it cannot do it at the price on offer.

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