The HSE has reached an agreement to provide the drug "Soliris" to sufferers of two rare diseases - at an annual cost of €430,000 per patient.
The drug is used to treat rare genetic conditions - paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PHN) and aTypical Haemolytic Uraemic (aHUS).
Due to the cost of the drug, it will be administered to sufferers on the based on their clinical need.
The HSE has described the price tag for the drug as astronomical - and its appealed to the manufacturers Alexion to reduce the cost of supplying Soliris.
The HSE has said it "attempted to negotiate a more reasonable cost for this important drug. However, the drug manufacturer concerned refused, and continues to refuse, to provide Eculizumab at a reasonable and sustainable price."
The Director General of the HSE, Tony O'Brien said: "This is an astronomical price to pay for any drug. However, the HSE did not want the patients awaiting access to Eculizumab caught in the crossfire between a drug manufacturer attempting to enhance its corporate profits at all costs, versus the HSE attempting to protect scarce money for delivering health services"
The Taoiseach said earlier today that he hoped a company that has a life-saving drug for treating a very rare blood disorder would be "more reasonable".
“I would wish that the company would be more reasonable in their response to an engagement here when they know that there are small numbers of people here with this very challenging condition in the country,” Enda Kenny said.
