Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the action that is being taken to resolve the dispute between hospital pharmacists and the Health Service Executive that has resulted in nearly 1,000 people with Hepatitis C, including more than 200 haemophiliacs, being denied access to new high tech drugs (details supplied) that were approved and funded in 2012; when he expects the dispute to be resolved; if any alternative options are being explored to ensure that those who need these products will be able to access them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13407/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Two new anti-viral drugs for the treatment of Hepatitis C were approved during 2012, which are administered under specialist care in 7 hospitals (St. James's, the Mater, Beaumont, St. Vincent's, Cork University Hospital, Galway University Hospital and St. Luke's in Kilkenny). The treatment regimes involved are complicated, multi-drug regimes that require significant and intensive involvement of pharmacists with patients to ensure the optimum outcome for patients. All patients must be closely monitored throughout the weeks of treatment in a hospital pharmacy environment to ensure proper and safe administration of the drugs.

The HSE has been working with all parties, including patient representative groups, to transition these services to a hospital based service. Arrangements are in place in each of the seven hospital hepatology units to ensure that all patients in urgent need of treatment are prioritised during this transition phase. All parties, including hospital pharmacists, have been actively planning for the changes to ensure that these services are delivered effectively and safely to patients.

The HSE Service Plan 2013 provides funding for the continued rollout of this service. The HSE has made arrangements to ensure that the appropriate pharmacy capacity and resources are available in each of the 7 hospitals to provide the anti-viral treatment as soon as possible to patients who have been assessed as suitable to receive it. This includes the recruitment of additional hospital based pharmacists to ensure that treatment is available to all patients in a timely manner. The pharmacists representative body has written to the HSE confirming it agrees with this arrangement. In this context, the HSE does not envisage any further delays.