HSE approves €3m one-off treatment for sufferers of rare and 'devastating' disease

Health minister Stephen Donnelly: 'MLD is a devastating rare disease normally resulting in fatal consequences for the patient — often a child. I am delighted to announce the approval of Libmeldy for reimbursement in Ireland.'

One of the world’s most expensive drugs has been approved for reimbursement by the HSE for those suffering from a rare and “devastating” disease, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said.

The drug, Libmeldy, is used to treat metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a disease affecting an estimated one in 40,000-160,000 people.