Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

These are exactly the issues that will be looked at in the rapid review and the health technology assessment. How much would it cost the State if it is on the drug payment scheme? What amount of good would the medicine do, given the amount of money that would be spent? That is how we must look at all medicines. It may be the case that it will be recommended for the drug payment scheme. The figure of €6,000 was mentioned; I am not familiar with the figure, but let us say that it is €6,000. The State would pay nearly all of that and the patient would be left with just €80 per month, or much less if they have a medical card. Certainly, if it is recommended through the process of reimbursement, the vast majority of the €6,000 would be paid for by the taxpayer. Then, the individual would pay €80 per month for the amount of time they are accessing the medicine.

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