Results 81-100 of 191 for drugs speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: ...participated. I got two and half minutes to contribute but was restricted in what issues I could raise. One area I raised, and which I have consistently raised in here, is the review on the multiple sclerosis drug called Fampyra which has been pending since 25 July. During the debate I asked the Minister directly whether he would simply call the review section in the HSE to inquire...

Seanad: Health Services: Statements (4 Nov 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: ...health services on numerous occasions in the House. I have been awaiting the opportunity to raise two matters with the Minister directly. The first of these relates to the multiple sclerosis, MS, drug Fampyra. There are 1,500 MS sufferers in this country and the HSE has been assessing the use of this drug - which costs only €270 per month - in respect of them. Fampyra gives...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: ...and others are questioned about what they know. Finally, I have raised the issue of Fampyra on numerous occasions in this House. There are 1,500 multiple sclerosis sufferers in Ireland who cannot access this life-changing drug. Since 25 July this year, the drug has not been available to people and is still being reviewed. I have written countless times to the Minister for Health but I...

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: ...from 50 cent to €2.50 per item, which is a substantial cost. I would have thought that if the Government was targeting people who are sick, elderly and those in need, that is something that could have been done as well as reducing the threshold for the drugs payment scheme from €144 per month, to which this Government increased it, to maybe €120 per month. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: ..., but if the Minister could spare 15 or 30 minutes for a quick debate, we might be able to make progress on it. I have repeatedly raised the issue of fampridine or Fampyra, the multiple sclerosis drug which since 1 July has not been available to many multiple sclerosis sufferers. The drug gives people back their mobility and independence. I understand the HSE has been assessing a new...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Has the Leader received an update from the Minister for Health on the multiple sclerosis drug, fampridine - Fampyra - which has still not been assessed by the Department of Health? Many sufferers of MS cannot access the drug which could change their lives and give them back their mobility. I do not take issue with the Leader but I am sick to the back teeth of writing to the Department of...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: ...had their legs taken from under them because their mortgages have been sold on. We can do some work in this regard to ensure everyone gets the protection they need. I raised the issue of the MS drug Fampyra a number of times before the recess and had hoped the matter had been resolved. I wrote on numerous occasions to the previous Minister for Health and raised the issue with the current...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: On a number of occasions I have raised the issue of the drug Fampyra which greatly assists a number of multiple sclerosis sufferers by allowing them to get their mobility back and, effectively, enjoy an independent life. People whom I know and others who are involved in the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland have advised me that the drug has a positive effect on a significant number of...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: ...publicly, to the media or in these Houses. He has said instead that he will co-operate fully with the Fennelly inquiry. Three inquiries will cost a minimum of €2 million. Last week, I mentioned a drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, fampyra, which costs €264 a month. It keeps people mobile, independent and active. From next July this Government will stop paying...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: ...needs and disabilities are losing medical cards. He really needs to come to the House to tell us what he is doing. If I may, I will conclude on one particular issue, that of the multiple sclerosis drug, fampyra, which I am glad received some public prominence from RTE last week. I raised the issue in the House four months ago. This is a trial drug for multiple sclerosis patients about...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I will conclude. This is the reality of what is happening in our health service. This 50-year-old woman has multiple sclerosis and cannot afford a drug which improves her quality of life and standard of living. All I ask is that the Leader use his good offices to impress on the Minister the importance of including this drug, Fampyra, in the drug payment scheme from July 2014.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: ...insurance. When he is ready, the Minister needs to come forward with a plan to be discussed in the House. Will the Leader request that of him? I raise a specific and important matter in regard to the drug payment scheme and I ask that the Leader, through his good offices, support my request in this regard. I received a letter from a 50-year-old woman who has been suffering from...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Unlicensed Money-Lending) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: ...on the vulnerable and desperate and those who are not up to speed on finance. At least those moneylenders are legal, but illegal moneylending generally emanates from organised crime, dissident groups and drug dealers, people who are dangerous in their own right. Senator MacSharry's Bill would provide protection and increase the maximum penalty to 14 years in prison. Under it, a judge...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: ...me, namely, the removal of funding for a south inner city post with the CYC. The post concerned is that of education officer dealing with adult education and all the voluntary groups dealing with drug abuse and anti-social behaviour. This is in the constituency of the Minister for Education and Skills, Dublin South East. We should schedule a debate on foot of the information I have...

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: ...objectives of this Bill are contrary to this mission and its enactment would lead to an inequitable, and in some cases unsafe, system of healthcare." She also stated the obvious that: "Many cancer drugs have serious side effects and risks to patient safety grow as the number of multidrug regimens expands and oral chemotherapy becomes commonplace." What is the EMA for? Fianna Fáil...

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: ...Stage? It does not seek to set up in any shape or form an inequitable treatment for cancer sufferers above and beyond that provided to others. It simply tries to legislate for speedier access to drugs approved by the European Medicines Agency for those suffering from cancer, which is one of the most prevalent diseases and affects every family. As Senator MacSharry said in regard to skin...

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is excellent. That Bill is on pricing but what we are talking about is the licensing and availability of drugs. The Minister of State said there was no need for legislation to improve access. Does she believe that? Perhaps her officials believe that. I do not believe it.

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: ...in the Department of Health and the HSE the Minister acted only when the issue was raised on the public airways day after day. Please do not tell me the Department was planning to introduce the drug. As the Minister of State said at the beginning of her contribution that she is rejecting the Bill, there is no point in making a plea for her to accept it. The manner in which it is being...

Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (2 Jul 2010)

Darragh O'Brien: ...I first became aware of the matter to which it relates some two years ago in the town of Balbriggan in my constituency. At that time, I and three very committed members of Balbriggan Awareness of Drugs, BAD - Paddy O'Shea, Liz Fanning and Brian Kinane - met the then Minister of State at the Department, Deputy Curran, to discuss this issue. In the interim, the problem of head shops has...

Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 May 2010)

Darragh O'Brien: ...an expert in this field and who has established hostels for young homeless people. Hostels are not the best place for young adults aged between 16 and 18, particularly as they can be a gateway to drug misuse and alcohol abuse. Some of the centres are in such bad shape that it would be difficult to send young people to them, where they could be led down a road they would not otherwise...