Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health the timescale from securing the drug kalydeco that targets the Celtic gene variant of cystic fibrosis; when same will become available to Irish patients; if it come under the terms of the recent agreements with the drug companies on high tech drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2091/13]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will fund Kalydeco for cystic fibrosis patients; the date on which this drug will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2252/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 217 together.

The HSE has received an application for the inclusion of Kalydeco (generic name: Ivacaftor) in the GMS and community drugs schemes which is being considered in line with the procedures agreed with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA). These include clearly documented processes and timelines for the assessment of new medicines in as timely a fashion as possible. In accordance with these procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) conducts a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) which provides detailed information on the potential budget impact of the medicine. It also assesses whether the medicine is cost effective at the price quoted by the company in question. No further comment is possible at this time as the decision making process is ongoing.