Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister appreciates the importance of the issue. The procedures involved are necessary for maintaining good health and should be performed when recommended by a doctor. It is unfortunate that patients are placed in this difficult position. The Government appreciates the contributions of the pharmaceutical industry to public health in Ireland. However, the industry's engagement with the process for medicines such as these is essential to improving patient outcomes. The State and the HSE cannot compel companies to make pricing and reimbursement applications. The Minister is hopeful that with encouragement from the clinical community, progress can be made here.

April is cancer awareness month. The programme encourages men and women aged from 60 to 69 to take up the offer of screening. Screening offers the chance for early detection before symptoms develop, which often means treatment is more effective that is the case with later diagnosis. The Minister and I are committed to and ambitious about the desire to improve cancer outcomes in Ireland through early detection of disease. I look forward to the Deputy's support for events relating to bowel cancer awareness month in April, which will no doubt raise awareness of the benefits of everybody engaging in early screening processes. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter.

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