Mary Henry (Independent)

I support the Minister of State in what he stated at the end of his reply about a small number of people on useful drugs which have been around for a long time. What makes one a little suspicious is that price is important and these drugs are frequently very cheap. Those patients who take them are being obliged to try to make do with a much more expensive alternative. It would be most useful if the Minister of State, relying on his professional experience, raised this within the Council of Ministers. One finds people trying to get these drugs when they go abroad because they have been prescribed for them for decades and proved suitable. They could really be put under the class of orphan drugs. One must remember the important humanitarian side of the issue. If one has been on a drug for decades that has proved suitable, it is a great pity to have to make a change, especially if the person has a serious condition.