Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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253. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the decision by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomicso not to recommend reimbursement for Pirfenidone to patients with idopathic pulmonary fibrosis; if he will engage with the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association; if he will review a submission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23381/13]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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264. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite without delay in providing Pirfenidone to patients who are suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23495/13]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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265. To ask the Minister for Health when a decision will be made by the Health Service Executive on the funding of pirfenidone in order for the drug to be provided to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23496/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 253, 264 and 265 together.

The HSE has received an application for the inclusion of pirfenidone in the GMS and community drugs schemes. The application is being considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed last year by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) for the assessment of new medicines. In accordance with these procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of pirfenidone and concluded that, at the submitted price, pirfenidone is not cost-effective for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The report is available on the NCPE's website (www.ncpe.ie).

The NCPE report is an important input to assist decision making and informs further discussions between the HSE and the manufacturer of the drug. The HSE is currently in negotiations with the manufacturers of pirfenidone and therefore it would not be appropriate to comment further while these negotiations are ongoing. The HSE assessment process is intended to arrive at a decision on the funding of pirfenidone that is clinically appropriate, fair, consistent and sustainable. The HSE understands that patients and clinicians are very anxious that a decision be made as soon as possible.