Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We fully appreciate the severity of cystic fibrosis and acknowledge the fears and frustrations of the families affected by this situation. I also acknowledge the circumstances the Deputy's constituents, Ciarán and his family, whom the Deputy spoke about in his initial remarks, find themselves in. The Minister is working on resolving this issue as a matter of high priority. He has been very clear in telling me that and it is his position and the position of the Government. It is a matter of extreme regret that Vertex has behaved in the manner it has. That being said, we are pursuing every avenue to try to remedy the situation.

The HSE has a statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions given under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. This requires the executive to ensure medicines are reimbursed in a cost-effective manner. The HSE is making an effort to fulfil its responsibility. Following extensive efforts by the HSE's corporate pharmaceutical unit, we are now beginning to see progress in this matter. The Minister, the clinical community and, most important, the families affected are all eager to see progress towards making this drug available to these children as soon as possible.

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