Multiple Sclerosis Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Multiple Sclerosis Ireland

Date published 03 Jan, 2018

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2017 to 31 Dec, 2017

Specific Details Letter to Minister Simon Harris regarding potential new pilot programme for reimbursement of new treatment for primary progressive MS, ocrelizumab.

Intended results That a new reimbursement system be piloted whereby people with MS can have access to the medication ocrelizumab while prices are being negotiated between the pharmaceutical company and the HSE.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Harriet Doig - Information, Advocacy and Research Officer

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

Letter sent to Minister Simon Harris, outlining the importance of ocrelizumab to the MS community (as the first potential medication for primary progressive MS) and requesting that consideration be given to piloting a new system of reimbursement whereby the medication is made available to people with PPMS while prices are being negotiated between the HSE and the pharmaceutical company.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Health)