Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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725. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the multiple sclerosis drug fampridine being included in the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30419/15]

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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974. To ask the Minister for Health the steps taken to ensure that multiple sclerosis sufferers are provided with access to the drug Fampyra; the reason the issue has not been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31333/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 725, 968 and 974 together.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed that it is in the final stages of putting in place the governance arrangements and processes around a responder-based reimbursement programme for the multiple sclerosis drug Fampridine (brand name Fampyra®).

It is expected that reimbursement will be extended where a demonstration of clinical response (based on objective criteria agreed with clinical experts) is recorded and where that clinical response is shown to persist, based on objective measurement at six-month intervals.

The HSE expects to confirm the reimbursement date in the very near future once all of the required governance arrangements are in place.