Burke welcomes ongoing discussions on inclusion of Fampyra as part of the Drug Payment Scheme- Burke

Fine Gael Senator for Cork North Central and the party’s Spokesperson for Health in the Seanad, has today welcomed ongoing discussion between the HSE’s Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit and the manufacturer of Fampridine (brand name Fampyra) about its inclusion on the Drug Payment Scheme.  Senator Burke was speaking after he raised a Commencement Motion on the matter in the Seanad with Minister Kathleen Lynch.

“Fampyra is a drug prescribed for the improvement of walking in adult patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with walking disability. Although Fampyra is currently available in Ireland, it is not available under the GMS and Community Drug Schemes. In some cases, patients who have been recommended to take this by their clinicians are paying up to €350 per month for this drug.

“Whilst Fampyra is not suitable for everyone suffering from MS, many sufferers find it to be very effective. We need to ensure that the cost of this drug does not prevent it from being available to those who need it. 

“Fampyra was considered for inclusion under the drug payment scheme in 2012 and was not successful. However, the Minister has assured me that HSE is currently in discussion with both clinical experts and the manufactures, Biogen Idec, regarding the availability of the drug on community drug schemes. The fact that these talks are ongoing is positive. I would be hopeful that these talks would conclude at an early stage.”