Multiple Sclerosis Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Multiple Sclerosis Ireland

Date published 21 May, 2019

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Jan, 2019 to 30 Apr, 2019

Specific Details MS Ireland staff contacted a Designated Public Official to establish whether or not the medication Ocrevus had been discussed by the HSE Drugs Group, if so; the decision that was made and when eligible candidates for Ocrevus can expect to have access to same.

Intended results To ge clarification on whether this issue had been discussed and when people living with MS who are eligible candidates for Ocrevus can expect to have access to it.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Ava Battles, Chief Executive MS Ireland

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?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Donnchadh O Laoghaire (Currently employed as a DPO) TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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.

Submission (1)

Deputy O'Laoghaire submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister for Health Simon Harris to establish whether or not the application for reimbursement of Ocrevus had been discussed by the HSE Drugs Group; if so, the decisions that were made; if these drugs will be on the agenda for the next meeting of the HSE Leadership team; when persons with MS that are eligible candidates fro Ocrevus can expect to have access to same, and if Minister Harris would make a statement on the matter.

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)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)