Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising what is a very important issue. I recognise that this medication is particularly important for those with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast cancer, who cannot take hormone replacement therapy due to the risk of cancer recurrence.

I understand the real difference that this medication can make to a person's quality of life. In relation to this drug, as the Deputy knows, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, NCPE, recommended a full health technology assessment, HTA, of Veoza to assess its clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness compared with the current standard of care. Subsequently, the HSE commissioned a full HTA and then a pre-submission consultation. On 20 August 2025, 16 months after it was commissioned by the HSE, a full HTA dossier was received from the company. I am advised that the HSE said that the application remains under consideration. We acknowledge the importance of this. Seventy-four drugs for cancer were reimbursed between 2021 and 2024.

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