Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, has received a number of representations on this matter from patients and concerned family members. I fully appreciate that this is a worrying time for patients, families and carers, and I hope the Senator's friend Pat and any other people who want this drug will get a good result. The Minister and I hope that this process comes to a satisfactory conclusion for all concerned. It is important to note that the HSE executive management team is the decision-making body for the reimbursement of medicines under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. It will, on receipt of the outcome of the drugs group's deliberation, make the decision as to whether patisiran will be reimbursed.The Senator is absolutely right that the additional funding for new medicines provided in budget 2021 will allow the HSE to provide access to evidence-based, cost-effective medicines, and ultimately to provide more medicines to Irish citizens. This item is third for consideration on the draft January drugs group meeting agenda, and hopefully there will be a positive outcome. The decision on this issue is made by the HSE executive management team, on receipt of the outcome of the meeting of the drugs group.