Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to the House for this debate. This subject has been raised several times in the Seanad on the Order of Business. In particular, Senator Darragh O'Brien has been calling for a debate on this issue for a long time and I am glad the Minister is here to discuss it. The Minister says he does not have any input into the matter but, as Minister for Health, I am sure he has some influence somewhere along the line.

I and other Members have received e-mails and letters from people who say this drug works for them. Of course, we will not hear from the people for whom it does not work. If it is not working for them, they will not write to us. The people who are writing to us are the people for whom the drug is working. They are testament to the fact that the drug is working. The Minister referred to a report on all the side effects the drug could cause. I urge the Minister to get a packet of Panadol or any simple drug, because any drug carries a list of side effects. The makers warn people that they can suffer side effects, regardless of what drug they take. Obviously, there will be a list of side effects with Fampyra.

I travelled to Spain with my husband and he forgot his blood pressure tablets. He went to a chemist in Spain and did not need a prescription. He got them over the counter. He got a year's supply of the tablet for the price of one month's supply of the tablet in Ireland. The pricing of medication in this country is outrageous.