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Valentina Petrova/AP/Press Association Images

Hepatitis C support group pushes for new treatments

A new treatment, proved effective in other countries, is yet to be included in the HSE’s drugs reimbursement list.

POSITIVE ACTION, A support group for women infected with hepatitis C in Ireland as a result of contaminated blood products has called on the HSE to fund the most up-to-date and effective treatments for its members.

Last week, the HSE’s monthly update of what drugs it will reimburse failed to include telaprevir and boceprevir despite their proven efficacy.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Detta Warnock, spokesperson for Positive Action, says the group feels very strongly that the treatments should be made available by the HSE.

The organisation, which represents 732 women who contracted hepatitis C from Anti-D injections between 1970 and 1994, says that a 1996 healthcare package granted to them under the Health Amendment Act provides for medication fee of charge.

“It is very important that it should be reimbursed,” adds Warnock.

The telaprevir and boceprevir treatments – when given with ribavirin and alpha interferon as a triple therapy – have seen impressive results in other countries. Warnock says that when the drug is added to the current dual treatment programme, success rates double from 40 per cent to about 80 per cent.

Although the treatment can improve a patient’s chance of getting rid of hepatitis C, the decision to undergo the treatment is not taken lightly.

“It is a chemotherapy based drug with huge side effects,” explains Warnock. “Women suffer flu-like symptoms, rash, anaemia and heavy but not complete loss of hair.”

It is a big undertaking, she says, that is much more favourable if the odds of working are increased.

Currently, there are some women receiving the most up-to-date triple treatment under a named-patient programme at the Mater hospital in Dublin but drug companies are footing the bill to get the product out to market.

Telaprevir has passed all the necessary licensing requirements but for it to be made widely available, it must be reimbursed by the HSE, concluded Warnock.

A growing concern for Pharma

A source at the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) told TheJournal.ie that its members have reported an increasing amount of medicines being held up despite having gone through the required regulatory processes.

It is a matter of great concern to the companies involved in bringing innovative products to Irish patients, he said.

As well as the obvious impact on patients, there is also a negative effect on business and decisions on future investment.

The IPHA is also aware of breakthrough drugs for MS patients being held up in a similar fashion.

The Irish healthcare system operates in a way which sees about 80 per cent of medicines funded by various State schemes – including the GMS and drug payment, long-term illness and hi-tech schemes.

The Government has told the IPHA that it wants at least €112 million in savings on its medicines bill in 2012. This follows the delivery of savings of €240 million by the industry over the past two years.

The last agreement between the IPHA and the Government included a clause that the State would continue to add new medicines to the reimbursement list to ensure as comprehensive supply as possible. That 2006 agreement which was extended in 2010 has now lapsed and negotiations between the two sides are continuing.

Value for money?

In a statement to TheJournal.ie, the HSE said that it continues to approve all medicines for which it believes there is robust evidence that they are “cost effective and budget neutral”.

In relation to telaprivir, it said that it expects a significant budget impact and has referred the product to the Drugs Group established in 2011 to consider how medicines can be introduced into clinical care pathways “as and when HSE resources become available”.

HSE is working with treatment centres to ensure that all appropriate arrangements and controls are in place to support optimal use prior to final approval by the HSE.

It is understood that treatment could cost up to to €50,000 per year per patient.

After an evaluation in January this year, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics said it considers telapevir a “highly cost effective therapy” when added to the current dual treatment of interferon and ribavirin of patients infected in the Irish healthcare setting.

About 1,200 women were contaminated with hepatitis C when they received anti-D immunoglobulin manufactured or distributed by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service between 1970 and 1994.

The blood product was administered to new mothers of a certain blood type to prevent haemolytic disease in the foetus of future babies. Warnock said that about 67 of Postive Action’s members have died since it was established in 1994.

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5 Comments
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    Mute Ray McGrath
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:45 AM

    Lucinda might be a regressive god-botherer – and good riddance to her – but if Paschal Dohohue’s performances on Vincent Browne’s show are anything to go by, he’s a proper idiot.

    151
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    Mute Terence MacSwiney Field
    Favourite Terence MacSwiney Field
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:35 AM

    “I have tonight accepted with regret the resignation of Deputy Lucinda Creighton ….” He asked for her resignation, so where is the regret? Kenny should do the honourable thing and hand his resignation in to the President.

    135
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    Mute Killian Lynch
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:37 AM

    Genuine question. Who would you like to replace him? Martin? Adams?

    50
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    Mute Ceara Butler
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    Jul 12th 2013, 4:38 AM

    Just because you don’t agree will the legislation that passed through the Dail tonight does not mean Enda Kenny is not an honorable man without morals. Hypothetically speaking I wonder what your response would be if say Enda Kenny had brought legislation to stop women from travelling to the UK for an abortion. I’d be willing to bet that you and you pro-life cohorts would be singing the man’s praises if he did.

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    Mute censored
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    Jul 12th 2013, 4:50 AM

    Regardless of the legislation passed through the Dail tonight (a watered down woman abusing piece of junk) Kenny is a twit.

    53
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Jul 12th 2013, 5:31 AM

    Killian,
    There’s a spare Bruton.

    16
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    Mute Smiley
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    Jul 12th 2013, 9:33 AM

    Terence, it’s called manners.

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    Mute Killian Lynch
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    Jul 12th 2013, 9:42 AM

    The Jobs Minister? Or is that autocorrect and you meant the Social Protection Minister?

    1
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Jul 12th 2013, 9:58 AM

    The one that can replace Enda quickest… Et Tu Bruton. That Bruton.
    The one with a brain.

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    Mute Smiley
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    Jul 12th 2013, 10:18 AM

    George, in any sphere of life there are manners and conventions that must be conformed to. This is such a sphere. Another example is in law where a judge is addressed as ‘Your Honour’ and lawyers speak of learned colleagues. I was merely trying to explain why I said ‘manners’, not having a chip.

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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Jul 12th 2013, 10:29 AM

    Your Honour doesn’t cut it here. “Judge” does.

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    Mute Smiley
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    Jul 12th 2013, 10:49 AM

    Thanks, Paul. Haven’t been to court. Must have been watching too many movies :-)

    1
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:16 PM

    Smiley,
    Your manners put mine to shame. I applaud your good nature.

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    Mute Tom Neville
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    Jul 12th 2013, 7:05 PM

    And yet he’s Taoiseach and you’re not.

    1
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Jul 13th 2013, 6:03 AM

    This comment thread concerns a call for him to resign. Yes, he is Taoiseach. In time he won’t be. Some here think sooner would be better than later.

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    Mute Rain-Shower
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:35 AM

    Another ‘yes’ man….

    110
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    Mute Jack Bowden
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    Jul 12th 2013, 6:51 AM

    He’s a lovely man. He’s replacing a nice, but at the same time, miserable woman.

    23
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    Mute Ryan Stewart
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:28 AM

    What was that about bad decisions being made at this time of night???

    87
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    Mute Caroline Reid
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:41 AM

    She stood by her views. The Only Woman who did x

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    Mute Robbie Doyle
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    Jul 12th 2013, 9:05 AM

    What about the many women who agreed with the legislation and voted accordingly?

    16
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    Mute Fiona Upton
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:25 AM

    Best of luck to him. Shane Ross tweeted earlier that he works hard, does his homework. Let’s hope he works to get us out of the bailout and to restore our sovereignty.

    56
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    Mute GatheringYourMoney
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:18 PM

    “Congratulations Paschal”
    You’ve hit the pension jackpot!!

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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:26 AM

    And you thought Lucinda was thick!

    56
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    Mute Dennis Laffey
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:09 AM

    What is that based on Kevin?

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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:25 AM

    Personal interaction with him going back as far as 1993/94.

    7
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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jul 12th 2013, 4:41 AM

    Fair to say the FG talent gene is fairly shallow.

    Should have tom Barry into battle with Merkels rear end

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    Mute Aidan
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    Jul 12th 2013, 8:15 AM

    :-)

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    Mute Dearbhla Russell
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    Jul 12th 2013, 5:41 AM

    Oh my god. This tool. AND the hits keep coming………

    50
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    Mute censored
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    Jul 12th 2013, 4:48 AM

    Plenty of ambitious climbers in the FG lobster pot.

    44
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    Mute David O'Driscoll
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    Jul 12th 2013, 9:30 AM

    I like lobster; they can only think in two dimensions – a bit like Enda Kenny.

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    Mute DubDon
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    Jul 12th 2013, 8:38 AM

    He is a bloody free loading waster. Our local TD who showed up at every community event and meeting pushing himself as some sort of hero for Dublin central going to solve all the problems. Haven’t seen him or the pr1ck who follows him everywhere since… Useless councillor useless senator sh1te TD and will help bring down the Govt as a pr1ck of a minister…

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    Mute Rick MacRory
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    Jul 12th 2013, 9:19 AM

    Dubdon
    I’d wish you were a little bit more open about your views!

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    Mute Ray Comerford
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    Jul 12th 2013, 7:56 PM

    I presume that he got elected without your vote! Could it be you wouldn’t vote FG anyway?

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    Mute Colm O'Rourke
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:45 AM

    Congratulations to Paschal. Very well suited to the position. No doubt he will do a great job.

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    Mute Rain-Shower
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:54 AM

    He’s an incredibly annoying looking/ talking man, another embarrassment to our country.

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    Mute Steve Hardy
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    Jul 12th 2013, 3:39 AM

    Somewhere there is a village missing an idiot

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    Mute censored
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    Jul 12th 2013, 4:49 AM

    Wrong Steve, FG is a whole village of idiots.

    57
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    Mute simonjblake
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    Jul 12th 2013, 7:57 AM

    @ Colm. Gay.

    9
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    Mute insider.ie
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    Jul 12th 2013, 10:36 AM

    @Simonjblake: What is that “gay” comment? Rather insidious. If you’re making an allegation about a TD or a poster (not sure which) then do it properly, don’t just drop the word in like that. Not that a person’s sexual orientation had anything to do with anyone else. Cowardly and a cheap shot.

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    Mute simonjblake
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    Jul 12th 2013, 10:51 AM

    Calm down insider. I was calling Colm gay for giving Edna’s new whipping boy such an unashamed blowing. And why did you automatically assume Gay was bad? Says something about your perceptions perhaps.

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    Mute phunkyboy
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    Jul 12th 2013, 7:07 AM

    Another freeloader to pay a pension to.

    29
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    Mute Steve Hardy
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    Jul 12th 2013, 3:38 AM

    Once Lucy gets the pension that’s all I’m worried about

    15
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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Jul 12th 2013, 7:51 AM

    She’s not entitled to a pension

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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:55 AM

    Yes she is. Entitlement to a Ministerial pension is achieved after two years of service.

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    Mute Tom Neville
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    Jul 12th 2013, 10:41 AM

    Top Quality Appointment.

    13
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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Jul 12th 2013, 7:55 AM

    And so the merry-go-round begins. Shouldn’t we have the best person for the job not flip-flopping ministers so they get their pensions is not the way forward.

    12
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    Mute Rufus Hound
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    Jul 12th 2013, 9:01 AM

    Couldn’t believe this when I saw it! A small talent pool indeed! At least Creighton was competent, but this guy….? I still don’t think it’ll be enough to save a FG seat in Dublin Central. Unbelievable!

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    Mute Mark Garrigan
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:09 AM

    Daffy duck on the gravy train now

    6
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    Mute Darragh
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    Jul 12th 2013, 8:14 AM

    Ah a “yes man” thank god for that.

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    Mute tax slave
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    Jul 12th 2013, 10:09 AM

    This is fantastic news really really . Great news for him .

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    Mute Maura O'Grady
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:42 AM

    Ah sweet, Endas’ little pet yes sir no sir 3 bags full sir

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    Mute Gerard Wyer
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    Jul 12th 2013, 4:03 PM

    I pity the poor translators working for the European Union.

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    Mute Enda Quinn
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    Jul 12th 2013, 5:13 PM

    If Smithers were describing Donohue to Mr Burns he would describe him as ‘one of your chair moisteners from sector 7G’.

    2
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