Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 461: To ask the Minister for Health if he has held any discussions with private insurance companies regarding their plans to provide Ippy to their customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33016/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I have not held any discussions with the private health insurers in relation to the drug referred to by the Deputy. The main legislative provisions for the regulation of the Irish private health insurance market are included in the Health Insurance Acts 1994 to 2011 and insurers are free to design their own health insurance schemes and to enter into agreements with health service providers under this governing legislation. It is not the role of the Minister for Health to become involved in the day to day operations of any private health insurance company.

I am aware that the drug to which the Deputy refers (Ipilumumab) is a treatment for advanced melanoma in adults and is recognised internationally as a significant advance in the treatment of melanoma. In relation to treatment of patients in the public system, the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) has overall responsibility for providing access to appropriate cancer treatments that meet clinical needs, including emerging drug treatments. The HSE/NCCP has recently announced that Ipilumumab will now be made available for use by eligible patients and I welcome this development.