Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am raising this matter regarding a drug, Fampyra, which is suitable for some MS patients. I accept fully that it is not suitable for all patients. A number of people have been in contact with me about this. They are paying more than €300 a month for medication. They are not entitled to claim under the drugs payment scheme and I know one of these people is on a medical card and is finding the situation extremely difficult. The drug is suitable for this person. It has been recommended by the person's medical consultant and advisers. While it is available for sale in Ireland, it is not included in the drugs payment scheme. I accept that it is not suitable, or the solution, for every MS patient. However, it is extremely beneficial to quite a large number of MS patients. These patients feel they are being sidelined as, even if they did not have a medical card, they are not getting any benefits whatsoever in the sense that they have to pay the first €144 themselves with the balance taken up under the drugs payment scheme. In some areas, pharmacists are charging more than €350 for the drug. Could it be included in the drugs payment scheme?