It's good news for those suffering from the rare muscle-wasting disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
The HSE has approved Spinraza, the only treatment on the market for the disease.
It has been decided that the drug will be reimbursed, after a drugs group voted by a narrow majority in May against it.
This decision has been celebrated by Minister for Health Simon Harris.
Welcome news today that Spinraza is now approved by the HSE. This is the first ever treatment for children with SMA. I know how hard the long journey to get here has been for families but very glad children in Ireland will now have access
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 11, 2019
He took to Twitter to write, ''Welcome news today that Spinraza is now approved by the HSE. This is the first ever treatment for children with SMA.''
He continued, ''I know how hard the long journey to get here has been for families but very glad children in Ireland will now have access.''
The HSE had previously said the drug would cost about €600,000 in the first year to treat each of the 25 Irish children with the disease and €380,000 a year after.
Spinraza is approved in 26 countries around Europe.
