Controversial MS drug widely used

A DRUG linked with a potentially life-threatening brain illness and used to treat multiple sclerosis is still widely used in Ireland, according to figures released by the VHI.

Tysabri, which was temporarily withdrawn from the US market in 2005, features in the VHI list of the top 10 most expensive drugs. Benefits paid on the 375 claims made by patients using Tysabri totalled e796,505 last year.

The controversial drug, linked with the development of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy and the deaths of two patients in the US, is closely monitored by the Irish Medicines Board and the European Medicines Agency. The board said Tysabri has a risk management plan agreed with regulatory authorities across the EU and “when used according to its approved conditions of use, its benefits are considered to outweigh its risks”.

Cancer drugs make up the remaining nine drugs in the list.

Bowel cancer drug Avastin accounted for 2,345 claims in 2008, at a cost of e5.4 million.

Breast cancer drug Herceptin, freely available to newly diagosed women in Britain, generated more than 1,600 claims and pay-outs totalled e4.5m.

A range of other drugs for treating lung, lymphatic, bowel, pancreatic, ovarian and colorectal cancer also featured in the top 10 including MabThera (lymphatic cancer); Taxotere (lung cancer and breast cancer); Oxaliplatin (bowel and pancreatic cancer); Paclitaxel (ovarian, breast, lung cancer); Erbitux (colorectal cancer); Gemzar (lung and pancreatic cancer) and Intratect.

In 2008, cancer accounted for 16% of the e1.13 billion total claims pay-out, up e25m on 2007.

Dr Bernadette Carr, Vhi Healthcare medical director, said cancer-related illnesses “remain the number one condition” treatment is provided for.

“New drugs and combinations of drugs have brought improved outcomes and reduced side effects for patients. These figures clearly show that the cost of providing the very best healthcare available comes at a high price,” Dr Carr said.