An American drugs firm has taken legal action against the HSE after they refused to fund treatment for two boys who had a rare genetic condition.
PTC Therapeutics has taken a case against the Health Service Executive after they refused to provide the drug, Translarna, to two young boys suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Translarna is said to keep children walking for longer and helps slow the development of the disease.
The drug company says they made the move because the time for the boys to seek treatment is running out.
The HSE reportedly rejected the drug due to the cost and clinical effectiveness after families of children suffering from the condition campaigned for two years for it to be approved.
It was estimated that five children a year would have been eligible for the drug if it had been approved.
However, this legal action may end up costing the HSE more than if they had paid for the drug initially.
PTC Therapeutics is also set to make a loss after the legal proceedings, however, they say they felt they had to act on behalf of the boys.
