Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)

Veoza offers an alternative to HRT for women at menopause. It is a game-changer for so many, especially those for whom HRT is contraindicated. These are typically cancer survivors for whom hormone therapies are just not an option.

Veoza was introduced into Ireland early last year and costs approximately €80 per month for the women using it. The pharmacoeconomic assessment has been ongoing since last spring. The Minister of State will be aware that Ireland has one of the slower processes across Europe for approving qualifying new drugs. Many other countries have approved the use of Veoza, and GPs are currently prescribing Veoza in Ireland as well. At €80 per month that is a difficult cost. When it is not included in the drugs payment scheme, DPS, that €80 is over and above any other medical cost the person may have. Many of these people have already fought cancer and may have other medication costs associated with that. The €80 payment for Veoza each month is over and above the costs of those medicines.

Some people may choose to take a non-hormone option, but for a limited number of people it is the only option. It is the only route available to them. When there is only a limited number of people, that means a limited cost to the State on the DPS. Studies have shown the dramatic quality of life improvement for those who are using Veoza. Symptoms reduced as quickly as within the first week. Since the pharmacoeconomic assessment commenced last spring, there has been a significant policy advancement for women with menopause care with the introduction of the free HRT in the this year's budget and implemented last week. That made a drug option available from the State to people for menopause care. Is this policy decision feeding into the pharmacoeconomic assessment? Surely it is, as it would be a significant change in policy since the assessment commenced. It would surely add to the case for approving Veoza on the drugs payment scheme.

I mentioned that in Ireland we would have a slower process for approving new drugs under the DPS. Is there an indicative timeline for the pharmacoeconomic assessment? If there is not, will the Minister of State's officials raise it with the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics to get a direction? Each month this goes on, this is an added cost for the women who are waiting. Has the Minister of State also examined the possibility of Veoza being included in a variant of the free HRT scheme?

See this speech in context