Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have spoken to the Taoiseach on a private basis about this issue in the past, which relates to the reimbursement process. The Government has done some good work of late by publishing the Mazars report and commencing the successor to the National Rare Disease Plan. Of course, we have invested more than €100 million in the last three years in orphan drugs. Last Thursday, I raised this issue again with the Tánaiste and gave the example of Luxturna, which has now been before the drugs group for assessment for reimbursement for 1,280 days. There could be a multitude of reasons why it has taken that long for the drug to go through the process. Whether we blame industry or the drugs group, the bottom line is the process is not working when it takes 1,282 days, and counting, for assessment for reimbursement. I ask the Taoiseach to engage with all partners in government to ensure proper review of the reimbursement process.

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