Advertisement

"I'm positive, if I live long enough, there's a cure for SMA"

Ivan spoke to Jonathan O'Grady, who has SMA, about access to life-altering treatment Spinraza

Share this article

19.00 26 Jun 2019


"I'm positive, if I live long enough, there's a cure for SMA"


Listen to this episode


Share this article

19.00 26 Jun 2019


Adults with a rare degenerative illness say they’re being left to suffer after the HSE excluded them from access to a “miracle drug”.

The HSE recently announced it will fund Spinraza – the only treatment for people with rare muscle-wasting disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) – but only for patients under 18.

Today on the Hard Shoulder, Ivan spoke to Jonathan O'Grady, who has SMA type 2. Jonathan spoke about the campaign for access to Spinraza, as well as the adults who are now left in limbo without access.


Read more about

Health Hse Spinal Muscular Atrophy Spinraza

Related Episodes

Wish Week at Newstalk 2026

00:07:27

Wish Week at Newstalk 2026

The Pat Kenny Show

00:07:27


The Pentagon & the Pope

00:10:26

The Pentagon & the Pope

The Pat Kenny Show

00:10:26


What are the cyber risks posed...

00:10:06

What are the cyber risks posed by Anthropic’s latest AI model?

The Pat Kenny Show

00:10:06


Iran-US Peace negotiations wit...

00:13:16

Iran-US Peace negotiations with Fawaz Gerges

The Pat Kenny Show

00:13:16