Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator O'Brien raised an issue of concern for multiple sclerosis sufferers with regard to the life-changing drugs that may be withdrawn from the medical card system in the next few weeks. I understand that, in accordance with the procedures of the National Centre for Pharmacoecnomics, it conducted an evaluation of Fampridine and concluded that as the manufacturer was unable to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of the drug in the Irish health setting, it was unable to recommend the reimbursement of this product. The report is available on the NCPE's website. It is open to the manufacturer at any time to submit a new application to the HSE for the inclusion of Fampridine on the community drugs schemes. I understand that the manufacturer has indicated to the HSE that it intends to submit a revised application for Fampridine. The HSE will certainly reconsider the application on receipt in line with the agreed procedures and timescales for the assessment. It should be noted also that Fampridine was never available to multiple sclerosis patients under the long-term illness scheme.