Galway East TD and Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney has warmly welcomed news that the Health Service Executive has approved the use of the drug Spinraza to treat children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

Minister Canney said: “Parents, including those in Galway East, have waged a very long campaign to get this vital drug approved.

“International tests have shown that Spinraza slows the effects of spinal muscular atrophy. I am extremely happy that the HSE has made this decision.”

Parents and children with SMA held a march at Leinster House in support of the campaign at the end of February.

At the end of the march, they handed in a petition with more than 100,000 signatures to get the drug approved.

Spinraza is the only drug available on the market to treat spinal muscular atrophy, which is a rare muscle-wasting disease.

For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
June 11 2019