Claims Prescription Drug Approval Delays Having Detrimental Effect On Cancer Patients

Sláinte An Chláír is calling for urgent reform of the prescription drug approval process for products made in Europe. It comes amid reports from the Irish Society of Medical Oncologists that doctors are unable to prescribe appropriate treatments, such as immunotherapies, to one in four patients due to delays in the HSE's extensive internal review system. Currently, pharmaceutical companies must get approval from the European Medicines Agency before seeking reimbursement from the HSE, however the process takes an average of two years in this country. Sláínte An Chláír Oncology Nurse, Anne Murphy believes the well-being of patients is suffering due to unnecessary red tape.