Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, has said that it is not too late for the Government, and the Minister for Health, to do what is clearly right for thousands of chronic pain sufferers, and lift his cruel restrictions on the pain relief patch Versatis.

The patch was originally developed for post shingles pain treatment but has been widely used for pain relief sufferers.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“The Minister for Health’s arbitrary decision to restrict the prescribing of Versatis has added to the physical pain and mental distress of thousands of low income citizens, and their families, who relied on the patch to relieve their pain

“For several weeks Sinn Féin have been unable to get the Minister to answer a number of questions that still remain surrounding his decision.

“For example, we don’t know if the HSE made any serious attempt to negotiate a reduced price with the manufacturers of Versatis before this decision was taken. We don’t know if there was a full and proper cost benefit analysis carried out before limiting access to Versatis.

“We are not sure if the decision makers considered the potential additional costs associated with alternative medication, on increased hospitalization, more demands on home help, home care hours and an increase in demand for anti-depressants, before they made their decision to limited access to this patch to those in pain.

“How can the Minister say it’s perfectly fine to prescribe Versatis for non-shingles related pain relief to those who can pay, but the patch is not suitable for those on low-incomes dependent on medical cards or the drugs payment scheme.

“Incredibly no indication was given to GP’s on how to take patients off this treatment in a safe and structured way.”

Crowe continued:

“A solution to this most distressing situation is possible, but any solution has to be lasting and sustainable. That will only happen when the Government addresses this issue in a patient-centred and compassionate manner.

“At the stroke of a pen the Minister for Health can go back to the HSE and request them to carry out a holistic review around this cruel decision to restrict the use of Versatis. He could revert to the pre-December position where those experiencing chronic and unbearable pain can avail of Versatis regardless of their family income.

“Surely Senior Personnel within the HSE would be better spending their time examining international research that demonstrates the effectiveness of Versatis on pain, rather than looking at a new appeals mechanism.

“Even after his arbitrary and ill thought out decision it is not too late for Minister Harris, and his Government, to do what is clearly right for thousands of chronic pain sufferers and lift these cruel restrictions on the pain relief patch, Versatis.”

ENDS