Cancer patients in Ireland face critical delays in accessing life-saving treatments, sparking serious concern from advocates. Miriam Staunton of United Cancer Advocates Network (UCAN) says patients are “dying waiting,” as they are too ill to campaign for their care.
She shared her own experience, revealing she had to reach stage four cancer before gaining access to vital treatment unavailable in Ireland but accessible elsewhere in Europe.[
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A new report from the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) highlights that only 25% of 56 cancer drugs approved since 2020 are available in Ireland, the lowest rate in Western Europe.
Patients are waiting nearly two years, longer than most EU countries, for new treatments. The HSE and pharmaceutical companies blame each other for delays, while no early access scheme exists. IPHA’s CEO, Oliver O’Connor, calls the situation unacceptable but fixable, citing that Ireland’s current system fails to meet the EU-mandated 180-day timeline for drug access decisions.
UCAN is calling for urgent reforms, including early access programs and a streamlined drug approval process. Countries like Germany and France offer significantly faster access, leaving Irish patients at a dangerous disadvantage.
