An early access programme to a new drug for up to 200 people with Hepatitis C could be operational within a few weeks, subject to an agreement with the drug makers on price.
An early access programme to a new drug for up to 200 people with Hepatitis C could be operational within a few weeks, according to Minister for Health Leo Varadkar.
However, he said the programme was subject to an agreement with the drug makers of Sovaldi on the price.
Sovaldi has been shown to cure the virus.
The minister said the aim is to have the programme available for people with the virus, who are at risk of irreversible liver damage, if they do not get treatment soon.
He said that the provision of the drug would be subject to agreeing a reasonable price with the manufacturers.
Minister Varadkar said that while the medicines are very effective, they are very expensive.
He cited the views of his counterpart in France, who has said the current cost is so high, it could overwhelm that country's health system.
The Irish Haemophilia Society has been campaigning for early access to the medicines for some of its members.
