Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 830: To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure the availability of Gilenya and Tysabri drugs to persons with Multiple Sclerosis; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that they are available in the UK, Portugal and Greece; if he will support MS Ireland's Access to Treatments Campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26137/12]

Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 885: To ask the Minister for Health his views on the availability of the drug Gilenya here for multiple sclerosis patients; the reason it is not available even though it has been approved in the EU; if he envisages it being made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26571/12]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 892: To ask the Minister for Health the reason Tysabri and Gilenya, two licensed approved treatments for multiple sclerosis which are available in many other countries, are not currently available here; the reason these treatments are not available here; his plans to introduce these treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26611/12]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 968: To ask the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive expects to make available to multiple sclerosis sufferers here, the licensed and cost-effective drug, Gilenya, in view of the fact that it has been deemed cost-effective since September 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27290/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 830, 885, 892 and 968 together.

The manufacturer of Fingolimod (Gilenya®) has submitted an application to the HSE for the product to be reimbursed through community pharmacies under the High-Tech Drug Scheme. The list of medicinal products provided under the High-Tech Drug Scheme is reviewed on a regular basis. The application in respect of the product in question is currently under consideration.

Tysabri must be administered in specialist centres under the supervision of experienced medical staff. This requires significant ancillary support including timely access to MRI, nursing support, educational guidance and ongoing follow up with the patient to ensure its safe and appropriate use. This presents challenges for hospitals and the HSE. There is significant international discussion about the exact role of Tysabri and how to ensure the most appropriate safe, efficacious and cost effective use of this new technology in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis patients. In the current climate, the increasing use of high cost medical technologies represents a significant challenge to the health system and society at large. The HSE is committed to ensuring that the maximum possible benefit is provided to patients from within the resources which the HSE has available to it.