HSE in U-turn on availability of €430k life-saving drug

The HSE has back-tracked on refusing an expensive drug to patients after the Taoiseach was accused of putting money ahead of patients’ lives.

In a major U-turn, the life-saving Soliris drug will be made available on clinical need to people with a rare blood disorder at a cost of €430,000 a year per patient.

A small number of people in Ireland are affected by paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) disorder, which kills about one third of those with the condition within five years of detection.