Taoiseach to consider life-saving drug fund in ringfenced mini budget
Enda Kenny faced questions yesterday about what exactly is being done to help cystic fibrosis sufferers get access to what is being called a ‘miracle’ drug to help prolong their lives.
The exorbitant cost of the drug, Orkambi, has resulted in the HSE not guaranteeing covering its costs.
The Dáil heard how the drug costs €160,000 for every CF patient. The National Centre of Pharmacoeconomics (NCP), which assesses the cost-effectiveness of treatment for patients, has warned of the huge costs in the State funding the drug.
“The NCP estimates that the five-year gross budget impact of Orkambi is more than €390m and notes the significant opportunity cost of reimbursing the drug as being two thirds of the cost of the children’s hospital for one drug alone,” Mr Kenny told the Dáil.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin asked for the latest update on talks between the State and Orkambi’s manufacturers.
Mr Martin also asked was it time to establish “a separate fund from the health budget” to invest in new technologies and drugs.
Mr Kenny said the HSE were still negotiating the price of the drug, despite the fact it was cleared by health authorities for use over two years ago. But he signalled a special fund may be set up which could in future cater for such life-saving drugs.
He told Mr Martin: “The deputy made one other point about having a ring-fenced structure for dealing with new drugs that come on the market, which they do every year. That is something that I would be prepared to look at in conjunction with the other parties.”
Elsewhere, Labour said it is time to freeze rents. A report this week said rents could rise by more than 25% in the next two years.
Leader Brendan Howlin said his party’s plans for rent control when in power were “blocked” by Fine Gael but it was time now to introduce such a measure.
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