Bernard Mallee: We need a policy to make ‘breakthrough’ cell and gene therapies available to patients

Cell and gene therapies are at the heart of a modal shift in medicines innovation, often offering better treatment options for life-threatening illnesses and, in some cases, potentially curing them altogether, writes Bernard Mallee

Cell therapy replaces diseased, broken or missing cells with healthy versions. Gene therapy replaces faulty DNA to cure genetic diseases. File photo: iStock/PA.

As if Covid-19 wasn’t enough, the health service was hit by a ransomware attack, delaying care for patients across the country. Hackers exposed the vulnerabilities of digital systems. 

As the deployment of the decryption tool continues, there is hope for the full restoration of the care pathway. When that happens, one missing piece will be cell and gene therapies. These breakthrough treatments are not yet available to patients in Ireland. We hope that can soon change.