Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 248: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the early treatment cancer drug herceptin is licensed for use here; if same is available on the GMS; the cost per patient of this drug; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5020/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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This product was approved throughout the European Union in 2000 for the treatment of non-early stage breast cancer in patients who satisfy the criteria outlined in the licence. It is available for use in this country under these circumstances. The use of medicinal products outside the licence indication would generally be exceptional and decided case by case. The product concerned is a hospital-only medicinal product and is not therefore reimbursable under the GMS schemes.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the cost per patient of this product is not readily available. This aspect of the Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and a reply issued directly to the Deputy.