Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

The National Centre for Pharmoeconomics, NCPE, plays an important role in the assessment process for new medicines. Its findings are not, however, the sole deciding factor in the process of allocating resources for new and expensive treatments. Its report is an input into decision making, but it is not the decision. The NCPE investigates the robustness of pricing proposals and cost-effectiveness documentation forwarded by pharmaceutical companies at a range of values. It is entirely appropriate to investigate cost-effectiveness at a range of values. Such investigations provide very useful information for the HSE on the most appropriate use of resources and potential negotiating positions with pharmaceutical companies when discussing price. Furthermore, the assessment process may identify where additional information is required from a pharmaceutical company.

The assessment process conducted by the HSE and the NCPE is a perfectly legitimate tool in assessing the best application of limited resources. It is designed not to prevent access to medicines but to ensure the best value can be achieved in order that more medicines can ultimately be provided from within limited budgets. The NCPE economic assessment process is robust and internationally respected and an important input for decision makers.

There are a number of new and expensive drug treatments being considered by the HSE. Drugs for the treatment of prostate cancer, including Zytiga and Jevtana, are within the decision making process. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further while this process is ongoing.

There has been recent media coverage of reimbursement approval for new and expensive medicines. Following on from recent discussions in this regard, the Chief Medical Officer is exploring with the HSE the adoption of a new and robust system for decision making on drugs in order to promote and drive evidence-based prescribing. This should help to create capacity on a sustainable basis to provide for necessary new drugs when there is evidence to support their use.

See this speech in context