The Health Ministry has announced that the cancer medication called Azacitidine, used by those suffering from leukaemia, will from this week be on the government formulary.
"We believe that people going through such delicate times should find every form of possible help This is why, through this year's budget, €3 million was specifically allocated for cancer medication," Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne said.
This medicine will be used by elderly persons who, for certain reasons, would not be able to undergo standard treatment for this kind of cancer. Azacitidine can also be given as outpatient medication, reducing the need for people to go to hospital for treatment, and reduce the need for blood transfusions.
This is the fourth cancer medication introduced on the government medicines registry this year. Fearne said that over the year, government will continue introducing new cancer medications.