Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

As we speak 35 children are being denied a drug because of the insatiable greed of a pharmaceutical company. Vertex, which is based in Ireland, is denying 35 children this vital drug. It has the Government and the HSE over a barrel. More importantly it has the families over a barrel.

This company has made billions of dollars in profits yet it is insatiable for more profits. Can the Minister give the families comfort over Christmas in regard to access to this drug? I understand the health technology assessment is going to be done but it could take up to six months before it is processed. These children do not have six months - it is as simple as that. These children need to be given access to this drug as soon as possible. It is morally wrong. It is corporate incompetence and it is corrupt that companies like this can have governments and families over a barrel.

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