Protesters want HSE to fund life-transforming emphysema drug Respreeza

Ten years ago, John Hannon could hardly walk from his home to his car. Yesterday he travelled to Dublin to demand that a drug that transformed his life continues to be available.

Mr Hannon, from Mallow, Co Cork, has genetic emphysema, or Alpha-1, an inherited condition which can result in lung disease. He joined other patients receiving the life-changing therapy at a protest outside the HSE’s offices in Dublin.

They want the HSE and Health Minister Simon Harris to commit to long-term funding of the drug, Respreeza.