Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive has not yet approved reimbursement of the drug Gilenya; his views on whether the drug provides life-changing benefits for MS patients; the reason there has been a lack of adherence to the criteria and timescales surrounding the reimbursement process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28778/12]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Health when a decision will issue in respect of an application to make available the medicine known as Gilenya Fingolimod for MS sufferers, under the long term illness scheme in view of the fact that this drug has already been approved by the European Medicines Agency and has been on the Health Service Executive reimbursement list for some months now but has not yet been approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28825/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 172 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.