It has been confirmed the Health Service Executive is putting in place arrangements to provide access to the experimental drug Pembrolizumab (Pembro) to all women suffering from cervical cancer on a case-by-case basis. The move follows discussions between the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive.
In a statement, the department said the drug would be provided "when a treating clinician determines that this is in the patient’s best interests". It said the HSE is communicating this approach to hospitals and medical oncologists. Last month, the Clinical Director of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, Professor Michael Barry, said the drug would be made available to all women suffering from cervical cancer under a "managed access programme".
The development has been welcomed by the Labour Party's health spokesperson Alan Kelly who said the announcement "has been a long time coming for women with cervical cancer".
Vicky Phelan, the women's health campaigner, said on Twitter that she was "delighted" with the news which has come during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.
Financial Blueprint of a Medical Negligence Case
Medical Negligence and personal injury cases are often a topic of conversation in Ireland. A case is built on the strength of expert reports and testimony. The ancillary costs are driven up by lack of access to salient medical records and details. This further underlines the need for mandatory disclosure and the need for patients to have live access to their own updated medical records.
At Peter McDonnell & Associates we know from experience that the single greatest cause of worry for clients is the issue of legal fees and costs. People worry that before a case commences or at the end of their case, they will be presented with a large legal bill that will be impossible to pay.
*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or a proportion of any award or settlement.