Denis Naughten TD is calling on both the HSE and the Government to enter direct talks with the manufacturers of a new Multiple Sclerosis drug – Fampyra – to come to an arrangement where patients are not forced to pay €300/month for the drug.

“It is estimated that the new drug, Fampyra, could prove hugely successful for one in 10 of the 8,000 MS sufferers in Ireland by significantly increasing their mobility. For some it’s the difference between going to work and being stuck at home on a Social Welfare disability payment,” stated Denis Naughten.

“In Roscommon, East Galway & South Leitrim there are over 250 people with MS and any measure that can be taken to improve their quality of life must be considered”

“However, the HSE and the drug manufacturer, Biogen, have been unable to come to a pricing arrangement to allow the drug to be funded under the long term illness scheme and it appears there is a similar dispute regarding the pricing structure between the manufacturer and other EU Countries.

“I’m proposing that the HSE and the company sit down and let Ireland become a specific pilot to design a roll-out scheme and pricing structure for Fampyra.”

Outlining his proposal Denis Naughten said: “With 8,000 people with MS in Ireland, which is a relatively small cohort, and in light of the fact that the North West of Ireland has one of the highest incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in the world we are in an ideal situation to evaluate which patients can benefit from this drug.

“Using this data, the company would then be in a far stronger position to negotiate a pricing structure with other EU governments. Not only would this be a win-win situation for the HSE and Biogen but it would also mean that those with Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland have the opportunity to access a drug that can have a direct impact on their quality of life.”

ENDS.

EDITOR’S NOTE: HSE response rejecting the funding of Fampyra under the drug payment schemes below.

Mr. Denis Naughten, T.D.
Dáil Éireann,
Leinster House,
Kildare Street,
Dublin 2.

29^th October 2014

PQ No: 38474/14

To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 965 of 17 September 2014, the timeframe for a decision on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Denis Naughten.

PQ No 965 of 17 Sep = PQ 33749 -‘To ask the Minister for Health if he will include the multiple sclerosis drug, Fampyra, in the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.’

Dear Deputy Naughten,
 
The Health Service Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in the context of the above Parliamentary Question (Reference No: PQ 38474/14), which you submitted to the Minister for Health for response.

The manufacturer has been unable to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of Fampridine in the Irish healthcare setting. The HSE decision on Fampridine is in line with many other European countries which have also, to date, not provided the drug under their public health systems.  A timeframe for a positive recommendation cannot be provided at this time.

Yours sincerely,

Kieran Healy
Head of Customer Services