Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is widely expected that by approximately April, this drug will become available to market and people will be able to access it. The timing on this is therefore highly sensitive. It would be great to have it available on the DPS right from the start.

There is another very significant aspect to which I wish to draw the Minister’s attention. Aside from the shock of receiving a cancer diagnosis, the difficulty in dealing with the treatment, etc., there is also a financial shock to the person. They will have lost income. Once they have put the cancer treatment behind them, they may face the possibility of having an expensive drug at menopause. It will be even more difficult for them at that stage and, therefore, the cost is hugely significant. Can a factor such as that be taken into account when the Minister is setting the price at the DPS? Let us bear in mind that people who will be using this drug will have already had this difficult, expensive time, on top of their difficult treatment.

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