Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am glad that this issue was selected, which is important to the people of Kilkenny. I mean no disrespect to the Minister of State but I was hoping that the Minister for Health would be present because it is relevant to his brief. The first thing I want to do is obtain a commitment from the Minister of State that he will bring this matter to the Minister's attention.

This issue relates to pembrolizumab, a drug that is available for the treatment of patients with certain cancers in this country. Patients with a particular type of cancer are not able to access the drug, making this another example of the two-tier health system with which, unfortunately, we are all too familiar. Deputy McGuinness and I want to refer specifically to John Holmes, a Kilkenny man who has had to resort to having friends and family establish a fundraising committee in order that he can access the drug pembrolizumab. There are regular fundraisers throughout Kilkenny to try to fund his treatment. It is not nice for anyone to be diagnosed with any type of illness, not to mention having then to go out and fundraise in order to pay for one's medication. Ironically, pembrolizumab is manufactured in Carlow, one of the counties bordering Kilkenny. The drug is not available to Mr. Holmes but it is available to certain other patients. We are seeking a firm commitment from the Minister that he will meet Mr. Holmes and his fundraising committee to discuss the matter, that he will examine the position and that he will not offer some sort of watery reply whereby he states that he will come back to the matter and then kicks the can down the road.

Time is of the essence. We need a definite commitment that he will meet the fundraising committee and that he will consider the matter and come up with a solution in order that John Holmes can get access to this vital drug because it is working and, thankfully, he has seen results from it. Obviously, it costs approximately €5,000 per session so treatment is out of the reach of most people.

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