David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is about money. There is no doubt about it that it is about money. We will face many more of these problems, because as more expensive drugs become available for the treatment of cancer, pain and this that and the other, decisions will have to be made. It is extremely difficult. I do not envy the people making those decisions.

I do not like pain. I had very severe, agonising pain for one night when I had cancer. It was a most appalling experience. I cannot imagine what it must be like, it is inconceivable to me that there should be people who have chronic pain. I spoke at a Chronic Pain Ireland fundraising dinner in Galway some years ago. There was one woman present who had endured chronic pain for 17 years. I could not bear it for one night. I salute anybody in this situation who continues on. I will chose my words very carefully. I think I would just give up.

Lidocaine acts as an anaesthetic.With regard to the manufacturing of lidocaine, did the Department shop around to get the best possible price for this product? I have been told it did not. I am not sure if that is correct, but if it is, the Department should have searched around. I have also been told that this drug is available much more cheaply in some continental countries. Is that true?

This treatment was originally designed for small cohort. In light of the fact that an unexpectedly enormous number of people take it - if 25,000 people use it when it was expected to be only used by 500 - then the manufacturers are making enormously increased profits and, therefore, should reduce the price of the drug. That is the market in operation.

Are the people in the HSE who are making the decisions to second-guess GPs and consultants medically qualified? I beg your pardon, Senator Burke, but I heard a grunt.