John Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Two weeks ago, the Cathaoirleach was kind enough to permit a Commencement debate in this House on access to expensive drugs and medicines for people who urgently require them. I also the acknowledge the role of my colleague, Senator Thomas Byrne, in that debate. I thank the Taoiseach for yesterday's intervention, as he phoned Ms Mary Gorman in Ballinakill and confirmed to her that the Soliris drugs she requires for her rare blood disorder will be provided by the HSE. I am delighted we have had some role in achieving that outcome in a relatively short space of time - in the course of a fortnight - as the issue has rolled on and impeded the good health and quality of life of Ms Gorman and others for more than two years. I acknowledge the interest and intervention of the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, in the matter, as he took our representations very seriously.

There is a broader policy issue and we cannot have cases where people's personal health and medical requirements must be politicised and require representation or lobbying - in essence, being turned into a political football - before we can achieve a positive outcome. I note Senator Colm Burke's role in the matter, as he pointed out that the cost of medicines for the HSE has skyrocketed over the past decade from €500 million to in excess of €2 billion. I welcome the soundings emanating from the Minister for Health that if the drug companies and large pharmaceutical corporations do not cop on and pull in their horns before achieving realistic and fair pricing for their medicines, he is willing to introduce legislation to force them to do so. It is the only way we can solve the problem and we cannot do that on an individual basis. It is a policy issue.

I request that we invite the Minister for Health to the Seanad for a full discourse on the issue. It should not relate to a single individual but the entire problem of the cost of drugs to the Irish taxpayer and the people who require them.