Micheál Martin to request meeting with Health Minister over access to Respreeza

Opposition leader Micheál Martin is to request a meeting with Health Minister Simon Harris to determine if any efforts are being made to ensure patients with genetic emphysema can continue to access a vital drug.

The Fianna Fáil leader met yesterday with Alpha 1 patients and their family members in Cork, where they spoke about their fears if the drug Respreeza is withdrawn.

Two women with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a disease that can cause severe lung and liver damage, died late last year when the drug was unavailable, as the HSE and manufacturer CSL Behring rowed over who should pay the costs of administering it.