"Now that Fampyra is commercially available, the free of charge supply must come to an end so other patients can access this product. Hence, the programme ceased enrolling new patients in January 2013 and has now ended for all patients as of 1st July 2014. Despite this, between the time the decision was reached and its implementation, Biogen Idec has continued to supply Fampyra in Ireland via the Named Patient Supply (NPS) route sometime to allow sufficient time for patients wishing to continue treatment to be notified in order for them to make alternative funding arrangements and to allow them time to discuss this situation with their neurologist.
Due to patient and physician demand for this product, Biogen Idec made the decision to make the drug commercially available so patients outside the NPS programme would have access to this product.
Biogen Idec applied to the Irish Department of Health and HSE for reimbursement of Fampyra. However, in early 2013, Biogen Idec received notification that the drug would not be reimbursed. Given that Biogen is committed to make this drug available to Irish patients, Biogen Idec is continuing to work with the HSE to ensure that eligible patients with MS in Ireland can receive Fampyra.
Recently (July 2014) Biogen Idec made a new pricing submission to the HSE. which is not possible to comment further on since discussions with HSE are still taking place.
While it is now fully available, any patients wishing to receive treatment will be required to either make alternative funding arrangements or to self-fund their treatment."
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