HSE breast cancer drug

The HSE's decision to stop funding a breast cancer drug has been met with outrage from patients and campaigners.

The drug, Kadcyla, is used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer, a particularly aggressive form of the disease. It has been shown to improve survival rates and reduce the risk of recurrence.

The HSE has said that it cannot afford to continue funding Kadcyla, which costs around €50,000 per patient per year. The drug is not currently available on the public drug reimbursement scheme, and patients have to pay for it themselves.

Patients and campaigners have said that the HSE's decision is a "death sentence" for women with HER2-positive breast cancer. They have called on the government to reverse the decision and ensure that all patients have access to the drug.

The HSE's decision is a reminder of the difficult choices that have to be made in healthcare. There are always limited resources, and decisions have to be made about how to allocate them. In this case, the HSE has decided that the cost of Kadcyla is too high to justify funding it.

However, the HSE's decision has to be seen in the context of the overall cost of cancer care. Cancer is a major cause of death in Ireland, and the cost of treating cancer is rising all the time. The HSE has to make sure that it is using its resources wisely, and that it is providing the best possible care for all patients.

The HSE's decision is a difficult one, and there is no easy answer. However, it is important to remember that the HSE is not trying to deny patients access to care. The HSE is trying to make the best use of its resources, and to ensure that all patients have access to the best possible care.

What can you do?

Contact your local TD and ask them to support the campaign for access to Kadcyla for all patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.
Write to the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, and ask him to reverse the HSE's decision.
Donate to a charity that supports research into breast cancer or provides support to breast cancer patients.
Share your story on social media and use the hashtag #Kadcyla4All to raise awareness of the campaign.

Together, we can make a difference.