Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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631. To ask the Minister for Health if it is the case that lucentis, a drug for macular degeneration, is available to patients with private health insurance, but not to those on the general medical scheme; the reason that this is the case; if the position will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58845/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Ranibizumab (Lucentis®) has been licensed for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Ireland and throughout the EU since 2007.

Ranibizumab (Lucentis®) is given by intravitreal injection (injection into the vitreous humour, the jelly-like fluid in the eye) and must be administered, under aseptic conditions, by a qualified ophthalmologist experienced in intravitreal injections.

Ranibizumab (Lucentis®) for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has maximum hospital pricing approval and is available to suitable patients in Irish hospitals. In view of the particular nature and use of the product, Ranibizumab (Lucentis®) is currently approved for hospital use only.