John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Under the health section of the programme for Government, there is a commitment to provide quick access to innovative drugs. I wish to raise the issue of the drug Tagrisso, which is used for non-small cell lung cancer as a second line treatment. It has been in the system since 2016. It was not approved in March but positive approval was given in May. About 96% of patients in the European Union who are eligible for treatment are getting the drug. The only ones who are not are in Ireland. I understand it will become available in early 2020. The reason for raising this is that there are currently 11 patients in the system awaiting the approval of the drug. It is literally a life-saving drug. As the Taoiseach can appreciate, any drug that can successfully treat non-small cell lung cancer is of extreme importance. I ask the Taoiseach to liaise with the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, to get a drug that I understand is already approved funded for the remainder of 2019 and into 2020. The cost is between €200,000 and €250,000. When talking about saving the lives of 11 people, I cannot stress the importance of this enough.

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