Health Minister Harris calls for EU to negotiate deals with drug firms

Pharmaceutical firms could be forced to provide life- saving drugs to patients at reasonable prices under a new cross-EU plan suggested by Health Minister Simon Harris.

Mr Harris said he wants all EU countries to join together in future negotiations with drug companies to prevent a repeat of the Orkambi drug crisis.

The HSE and Government said it will not provide the vital cystic fibrosis drug to hundreds of patients whose lives are at risk, due to the €158,000-per-person cost, but Mr Harris said people receiving the medication now will continue to do so as negotiations continue.