Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I will certainly do what I can to find out what is going on with those 12 children, particularly the 17 year old young woman referred to by her. I remember the campaign and the major commitment made by the families involved. There is an ongoing issue with orphan drugs, or drugs that are developed for what are classed as small populations in particular disease categories. I do not know why 12 children remain to be treated right now but I will follow up on the matter and see what we can do to facilitate access to the drug. I will come back to the Deputy but I will have to speak with the Minister and officials from the Department of Health. Perhaps the Deputy could forward the details of the individual to me or my office and I will certainly do what I can to get to the bottom of this and try to find out what is going on with the access to the drug for the children concerned.

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