The Government was called to intervene and fund new drugs for 25 children suffering from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

We lag behind other European countries in how quickly new medicines are made available to patients and this could be exacerbated by Brexit, says Bernard Mallee.

Ireland has joined an international alliance designed to strengthen its hand in price negotiations with big pharma in an effort to improve Irish patients’ access to new and innovative drugs.

Ireland could be joining a group of European countries who jointly negotiate pharmaceutical deals with major manufacturers.