Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Harris, here this afternoon. I compliment him on the interest he has shown in the provision of the drug, Orkambi, to cystic fibrosis sufferers. When the Minister was in Limerick in early October to open the cystic fibrosis unit he saw it at first hand and met many of the patients who were there. The main thing that a number of people who have come to my office wanted to stress was the quality of life of those who are suitable for taking this drug. There was a report issued on 28 October 2016 on people who are currently taking the drug, which showed there has been a 40% decrease in hospitalisations. It has slowed down cystic fibrosis for those currently on the drug. These are two very important points because if fewer people are being hospitalised because the drug is working for them, it frees up beds for other people. There are more than 550 cystic fibrosis patients across the country. In the past, people from Ireland travelled abroad because we did not have suitable treatment in this country. I know people who went to America for treatment. We have come on so much in this country in terms of Beaumont Hospital and Cork and Limerick hospitals being centres of excellence. They are the hospitals where people go for their treatment. People are conscious of the fact that it is a large amount of money. Vertex Pharmaceuticals is looking for €159,000 a year per person for Orkambi when it has been said it should cost roughly €30,000. The Minister has the right approach in getting other European countries to come on board in negotiating and trying to get the price down. I hope a resolution will be found to solve this matter. Everybody here today would be of that way of thinking. I compliment the Minister. The sooner the HSE and Vertex can come around the table and try to come to a successful conclusion the better. Vertex is holding us and the HSE to ransom. They are the people in the driving seat. They are looking for their price. It is incumbent on all of us to bring to bear as much pressure as possible to bring down the price. I agree with my colleague, Senator Kieran O'Donnell, on the 98 beds that are certainly very much wanted and needed for University Hospital Limerick.