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Health minister says cystic fibrosis drug price negotiations ‘a priority’

The Minister for Health Simon Harris has moved to re-assure cystic fibrosis patients that they ma...
Newstalk
Newstalk

16.57 2 Jun 2016


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Health minister says cystic fi...

Health minister says cystic fibrosis drug price negotiations ‘a priority’

Newstalk
Newstalk

16.57 2 Jun 2016


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The Minister for Health Simon Harris has moved to re-assure cystic fibrosis patients that they may still get access to a new drug - Orkambi.

Yesterday the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics ruled that €158,000 per year per patient for Orkambi was too expensive.

The Clinical Director of the organisation said the manufacturer got the price wrong.

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Tánaiste Francis Fitzgerald was critical of the attitude of some drugs companies: “It’s very important, indeed critical, that drug companies do not hold countries or patients to ransom in terms of pricing.”

Simon Harris moved to re-assure CF patients the drug may yet be available to them.

“This process is far from finished, there is significant work to do to negotiate on price and I want those negotiations to continue as a priority,” the health minister said.

He also confirmed that patients on a trial of the drug will continue to receive it while negotiations are ongoing.


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