Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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945. To ask the Minister for Health the up-to-date position regarding the provision of the CF drug kaftrio under the drug reimbursement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54326/22]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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1193. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the progress made to provide the CF drug kaftrio to a cohort of 35 Irish children aged between six and eleven years, who are currently excluded from access to the drug due to a disagreement between the manufacturers and the HSE; if he will report on the meeting which he committed to with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to this extremely important issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55287/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 945 and 1193 together.

Kaftrio has been a life changing drug for Cystic Fibrosis sufferers, and I want to see it made available to everyone who needs it. This Government wants to ensure greater access to new and innovative medicines and has allocated significant additional funding for new medicines in recent Budgets. Since the beginning of 2021, 99 new medicines, or expanded uses of existing medicines, have been funded. This has included 27 for the treatment of rare diseases, including Cystic Fibrosis.

The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

I am grateful to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) for meeting with me recently, and outlining the concerns of the Cystic Fibrosis community. We discussed the recent statement from the Consultants providing care for these children, with all parties aligning in the view that the approach taken by the manufacturer, Vertex, is unfair to these children. I reassured CFI of the urgency with which the Government and the HSE are approaching the current situation.

I have been advised by the HSE that engagement with Vertex Pharmaceuticals is ongoing, which I hope can be quickly brought to a satisfactory conclusion for everyone.